Antique Islamic Mughal Indian dagger (KHANJARLI),17th century, Deccan India, with curved double-edged Damascus steel blade of a very fine wootz pattern, the blade has two small holes, one of circular form and the other of ellipse shape, originally those holes were set with two small precious stones. Blades inlaid with precious stones can be seen on very high quality Islamic swords and daggers of Damascus steel blades. The hilt is of typical form with lunette pommel and pivoting knuckle guard and is riveted by six iron rivets with silver washers.

REFERENCES:

Hindu Arms and Ritual by R. Elgood. Page 179, fig. 16.35

Rites of Power: Oriental Weapons / Rituais de Poder: Armas Orientais: Collection of Jorge Caravana. Page .129, fig.54

A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries by George Cameron Stone, 1999, pp. 352, 354, fig. 445 1/2;

For a very similar Khanjarli, dagger in the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art New York please sees the link below.

http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/31460?rpp=30&pg=2&rndkey=20141223&ft=*&what=Steel|Daggers|Bone&pos=42

A similar dagger is in The Jorge Caravana Collection and published in the book, Rites of Power: Oriental Weapons / Rituais de Poder: Armas Orientais: Collection of Jorge Caravana. Which, also, can be viewed on line, please see the link below.

http://www.caravanacollection.com/project/khanjarli-dagger

CONDITION: The hilt with natural age cracks, (as is common in these daggers), wonderfully stained from hundreds of years of handling; it has a deep glossy patina. One side of the pommel chipped.

MEASUREMENTS
The overall length (approximately): 35 cm (13 3/4 in)

Antique Arms and Armor