Dagger with Sheath
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Steel, silver, wood
Dimensions
H. with sheath 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm); H. without sheath 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm); H. of blade 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm); W. 1 5/16 in. (3.3 cm); Wt. 6.3 oz. (178.6 g); Wt. of sheath 3.4 oz. (96.4 g)
Classification
Daggers
Culture
South Indian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.764a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Dagger with Sheath* from South India, dating to the 18th–19th century, exemplifies the region's masterful blend of functionality and artistry in arms and armor. Crafted by an unknown artisan, the dagger features a steel blade measuring 5¼ inches long, housed in a fitted sheath of wood adorned with silver elements. At just 6.3 ounces without its 3.4-ounce sheath, its compact size—standing 10⅛ inches tall sheathed—made it ideal for close combat or as a concealed sidearm for warriors and nobility during a time of regional kingdoms and colonial encounters. The materials highlight ...