Mughal India (late period)
‘Khanjar’ Dagger
circa early 18th century
(yellow velvet, steel, gold and ‘mutton fat’ jade)
The simple delicacy of this dagger is exquisite. Its finial, carved as a lotus, tops a curved ‘J’ hilt, defining this as a khanjar in particular. A khanjar's use in the Mughal dynasty was more for a ceremonial than a defensive purpose (or so it is said). Traditionally presented as gifts to emperors, lovers and comrades alike (all of whom tended to be male), it is a type of dagger that would have been worn or displayed as a symbol of status, depending on the intricacy of its craftsmanship and precious materials as well as on the condition upon which it was received. Seen in illustrations dating from this time period and onwards, khanjars are sometimes drawn as additional belt or garment ornaments (clearly distinguishable in a daily crowd or during a festivity) or as contemporary artefacts within homes, displayed to be admired. The velvet sheath and gilt tasselled ribbon of this dagger are likely its most important features, as it is known that it was only among the upper classes that golden blade covers were, in the very least, accepted. Considering how fragile velvet is, it is a treat indeed that this sheath came to survive nearly three hundred years since its creation, only to find itself at l’Hôtel des Bergues (Geneva) in the early summer of 1988, alongside twelve other exemplary sheathed daggers, as part of a fine assortment of Islamic works of art being auctioned by Habsburg-Feldman. It is only a pity that since then, this khanjar has not yet resurfaced from whichever private collection that it likely wedged its way into.
