18 C. Chillanum Dagger from Tamil Nadu, India

The Chillanum dagger is one of the rarest forms of daggers in the Indian arsenal, a member of a class of daggers from the Deccan. The Chillanum appeared in the 16 C. It is characterized by the re-curving blade and styled handle. Daggers in this class may take various shapes but all share the typical re-curving blade.

The Chillanum offered here is 18 C .  from south India, probably Tamil Nadu. Heavy re-curving fullered blade with reinforced edges and thickened tip. Cast bronze or brass handle with a bird shaped pommel.  D guard and Quillons ending with the same bird head, all decorated with small silver inserts  

Blade length 10 1/2 inches (26 cm). Total length 15 1/2 inches (39 cm). Good condition to age. Superficial pitting on the blade.  No scabbard. Authentic early rare and elegant dagger.

Provenance: Roy Elvis collection, catalogue number D40.