Mughal Chased, Silver Mounted Dagger (Khanjar)

This fine short dagger or knife is entirely encased in sheet silver. The hilt finial is in the form of a tiger’s head. The scabbard is decorated on both sides with engraved cartouches of Mughalesque stylised poppy sprays. The edge of the scabbard is decorated with a row of pearl-like motifs. The chape has a flower-bud finial.

The single-edge steel blade comes to a sharp point. It has old staining.

The silver is high-grade (very pure) and has a lovely, soft patina.