A Mughal marine-ivory hilted dagger with ram's head, India, 18th century

the marine-ivory hilt carved in the form of a ram's head with a floral design at the base, set in the kundan technique with two eyes and a harness inlaid with rubies

Baron Methuen, Corsham Court, Wiltshire, home of the Methuen-Campbell family, acquired by the family in the 19th century

In fairly good condition, the blade oxidised with some stains, some cracks in ivory and encrustations, small chip in ruby on one eye, two miniature rubies missing from harness, as viewed.
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Stuart Cary Welch's close study of many animal figures in the Padhshanama reveals that the small number of daggers with animal hilts were reserved for the use of princes such as Dara Shikoh and Shah Shuja. This is an example of the three dimensional animal portraits that are infused with a compelling naturalism so typical of Mughal decoration. This decoration is a fine example of what sets the Mughal Empire apart from their central and Persian antecedents. While the number of daggers with animal hilts such as the present example increased during the early eighteenth century, these continued to function as indicators of a high rank and position at court (see Welch 1985, pp.257-8). The present example, which was meticulously carved in the form of a ram's head and set with a ruby-studded harness, would certainly have been intended for use in a noble circle.