Dagger
Unknown Artist
18th century
Medium
Steel, jade
Dimensions
H. 11 3/4 in. (29.8 cm); H. of blade 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm); W. 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm); Wt. 6.4 oz. (181.4 g)
Classification
Daggers
Culture
Indian, Mughal
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.1076
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 18th-century Mughal dagger from India exemplifies the fusion of functionality and opulence in the arms and armor of the Mughal Empire. Crafted from high-quality steel for its sharply tapered 7¾-inch blade and luxurious jade for the hilt, the dagger measures 11¾ inches in height and weighs a mere 6.4 ounces, making it both balanced for combat and a portable symbol of status. The jade, prized for its translucence and durability, was often carved into ergonomic, pistol-grip shapes typical of Mughal kard daggers, highlighting the era's mastery in hardstone work. During the 18th cen...