Description:

Central Asia, Pakistan / northern India, Indo-Persian period, ca. 19th to 20th century CE. A striking example of an iron khanjar, a type of curved dagger used throughout the Middle East and central Asia, boasting a pommel formed of 2 tiger heads and a sheath featuring a third tiger head at its top, all elaborately adorned in silver inlay and niello foliate motifs. Each of the fierce felines present with open, roaring mouths, sharp fangs, protruding tongues, and niello stripes. The graceful, curved blade boasts swirling, almost psychedelic designs of dark and light nickel along with a tondo of Arabic script, possibly quoting a blessing from the Qur'an. Khanjars were proudly displayed on the belt as sign of wealth and protection, and this example would have been a fierce reminder of the power and affluence of its wearer. Size with sheath: 15.1" L x 3.6" W (38.4 cm x 9.1 cm); without sheath: 13.7" L (34.8 cm); of blade only: 8.3" L x 1.4" W (21.1 cm x 3.6 cm)

Provenance: private New Haven, Connecticut, USA collection

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#176207

  • Condition: Some light softening to blade, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice patina throughout.

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March 19, 2023 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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