Indian Daggers - Objects Of Beauty

The Princely rulers of India were noted for the opulence and extravagance with which they led their lives. The possession of beautiful objects made from the most precious of materials was a display of both wealth and power. Images abound of these rulers draped with the finest pearls, diamonds, emeralds and rubies assembled into some of the finest jewellery the world has ever seen.

By Trigger

Naturally this extravagance extended to the personal weapons carried by these individuals and here we have a selection of some of the finest Indian edged weapons that we have seen in a long time. Primarily jade handled, the curve bladed daggers or 'Khanjar' as they are known in India, are set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, the stones in fact set in place with fine gold. One dagger has very fine pearls set into the blade which is most unusual and each of the blades is decorated with fine gold damascene work.

One all steel dagger or 'Kard' is fully damascene embellished including the hilt which forms the shape of a bird with rubies for eyes. The quality of craftsmanship is superb as you would expect from the very finest workers of the day, engaged by the great families of India. You can now appreciate where some of the creative influence for the 'India' rifle came from and why we chose to inlay precious stones.

By Trigger

7 Comments

Peter Buckley. on February 28, 2017 at 7:09 am

Trigger

Fabulous 'Khanjar' daggers, historical artefacts from another world, each and everyone so exquisite, I particularly covet the one in photo two, the jade horses head it's so understated yet so beautiful.
I also love the all steel dagger or 'Kard' the hooded falcon, again exquisite the embellishments superb, no wonder they inspired 'Westley Richards' 'India' rifle.

Inspirational post so different from the norm!

Regards. Peter.

Reply
- Trigger on February 28, 2017 at 7:18 am
  
  Dear Peter
  
  Many thanks. They are all exceptional pieces that truly inspire.
  
  Best regards
  
  Trigger
  
  Reply
  - Peter Buckley. on February 28, 2017 at 9:04 am
    
    Dear Trigger
    
    Thank you for your time and response.
    
    Just a thought, the jade 'horses head' dagger, could this have inspired the pair of 16g 'Arab Horse' shotguns that were displayed at the Shooting Show along with the 'Lion gun', 'India gun', or am I barking up the wrong tree, probably am, but I'm sure you will correct me.
    
    I wonder what will be next to surface from the depths of 'Westley's' vaults?
    I suppose that's what keeps 'The Explora' so compulsive, the surprise!
    
    Kind Regards. Peter.
    
    Reply
    - Trigger on March 1, 2017 at 7:29 am
      
      Hi Peter
      
      The horses head dagger just happens to be a coincidence. The Arab Horse guns were based on the owners own horses.
      
      We will keep on plundering the vaults and hopefully bring up a few more surprises as time goes on.
      
      All the very best
      
      Trigger
      
      Reply
Ned Cowell on March 1, 2017 at 7:17 am

Very interesting to see a non-firearm post, and the more so because this is a field that I work in - though I seldom see the like of these in terms of quality! Are these part of your collection at Westley Richards? They seem comparable with the examples ones seeks in such prestigious museums as the Wallace Collection in London. Anyway - great post

All the best

Ned

Reply
- Trigger on March 1, 2017 at 7:27 am
  
  Hi Ned
  
  They form part of a private collection and are wonderful examples. Great workmanship.
  
  Best regards
  
  Trigger
  
  Reply
peter bencivenga on July 16, 2021 at 10:01 pm

So good to see india daggers have come into own. I first collected in the early 1970s and I had few others to worry about being out bid . Dealers came to me with Persian knives to.
sell as they had few buyers. Those days are long gone. Regards Peter bencivenga

Reply