Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets
A Mughal jade-hilted dagger (chilanum), India, 17th century
Auction Closed
March 30, 12:47 PM GMT
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the dark green jade hilt resembling a fleur-de-lis, with the top bifurcating into two curved pommel bars with a central bud-shaped pommel, double-edged watered-steel blade with central ridge, the forte with a medallion with gold decoration comprising a central flower among leaves
41cm.
The chilanum is a form of dagger said to have come from the South of India and unique to the Subcontinent (Von Folsach, Meyer and Wandel 2021, p.145). A similar chilanum, with a light jade hilt, also dated to the seventeenth century, is now in the Louvre, Paris, inv. R 89. It misses the pommel at the top, but displays the same delicacy in carving. Another comparable dagger was sold in these rooms, 8 May 1997, lot 49 and is now in the al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait, inv. no.LNS 251 HS (published in Kaoukji 2017, p.102, no.31). A similar example, lacking a medallion on the blade, was recently sold at Christie’s London, 26 April 2018, lot 113.