Lot 153. A horse-headed gem set jade-hilted dagger (khanjar) with scabbard, signed Shir Ahmad, hilt: North India, 1675-1725; blade: circa 1750-1800; 16 5/8 ins. (42.8 cm.) long; 2 3/8 ins. (6.2 cm.) wide; scabbard 13 3/8 ins. (34.1 cm.) long. Estimate USD 50,000 - USD 70,000. Price realised USD 75,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019
The hilt set in the first half of the 19th century with rubies and pearls, watered-steel blade with running ball bearings, known as the 'Tears of Allah', signed on the spine.
Literature: Ricketts 1973, no.51.
Exhibited: Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p.112, no.84
The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.140, no.88
The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, p164, no.92.
Note: Ornaments, like Lot 127, were worn by women in their hair. The carved emerald flower bud would have been positioned at the front, near the forehead.
Christie's. Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, New York, 19 June 2019
