Khanjarli Dagger with Wootz Blade

The Khanjarli, one of the nicest and sought after dagger in the Indian weaponry. It is characterized by its strongly re-curving blade and wide lunette shaped pommel. The Khanjarli is probably a development from the earlier Chilanum. Egerton in his book Oriental arms and armor suggest that they are originated from Vizianagram in south east India, while Elgood in his book Hindu Arms and rituals suggest it is originally from Orissa because of the massive ivory industry there at the time. There are few versions to Khanjarli, some appears with a D guard and some without, almost all Khanjarlies come with Ivory handle.

The Khnjarli offered here ne is an early example, probably early 18 C. or earlier. Blade is nicely fullered,  forged from watered steel (wootz) with traces of silver inlay decoration. Steel cross guard and D guard. Handle parts – the grip and the lunette shaped pommel – are Ivory with silver grip strap and silver rosettes on the rivets holding the handle sectors.

Blade  8 1/2  inches long.  Total length 13 inches. Very good condition to age. Very good deep dark age patina on the ivory. Very minor chips . Losses to the silver inlay on the cross guard.

For a similar example from Stone collection now at the Met # 36.25.1064