Deccani Jade-Hilted Dagger (Khanjar)

A ceremonial khanjar of recurved form, the watered-steel blade marked with a fine wootz pattern and reinforced by a central ridge. The pale jade hilt terminates in a stylised horse's head, the eyes set with cabochon rubies and the mane indicated by a meandering cloud-band of foiled emeralds in gold kundan.

Such arms were borne at court as symbols of rank, and an inventory mark on the tang suggests royal Bijapuri provenance.