On view
South Asian Art
Khanjar (dagger),
18th–19th century
Indian
Mughal Empire, 1526–1858
2023-139
Khanjar are short blades with decorated hilts that were used by men for ceremonies throughout the Islamic world and worn tucked into belts with the hilt displayed. These two Indian khanjar feature jade hilts—one decorated with jewels and the other carved—and blades made with watered steel, a technique developed by Indian metalsmiths that creates a wavy, marbled pattern on the metal’s surface.
Information
Title
Khanjar (dagger)
Dates
18th–19th century
Medium
Jade hilt with rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and gold; metal blade
Dimensions
length: 40.3 cm (15 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Hugh Leander Adams, Mary Trumbull Adams and Hugh Trumbull Adams Princeton Art Fund
Object Number
2023-139
Place Made
Asia, India
Unidentified English collector, London, 1950s–1960s; [Sotheby’s, London, 31 March 2021, lot 94]; Collection of Sanjay Kapoor, [Kapoor Galleries], 2021–2023; purchased by the Princeton University Art Museum from [Kapoor Galleries] 2023.
