Name/Title
Khanjar_Tiger_HeadEntry/Object ID
68; Full Code: 68.29.26-DG-NBTags
Dagger, Silver workDescription
This artifact is a Modern Forged Khanjar, produced and acquired in 2006. It represents a high-status interpretation of the traditional Indo-Persian recurved dagger, distinguished by its zoomorphic Horse-Head (Sher-Dahan style) hilt and a pattern-welded steel blade. This specimen serves as a technical record of mid-2000s metallurgical craftsmanship, where historical symbolic motifs are integrated with modern structural engineering.
Core Components & Engineering
The Blade (Pattern-Welded/Damascus-Style Steel): A single-edged blade featuring a pronounced recurve and an acute, reinforced tip.
Surface Pattern: The steel exhibits a rhythmic, "watered" pattern resulting from the folding and forge-welding of high- and low-carbon steels.
Mechanical Logic: This composite structure ensures a hard, wear-resistant cutting edge while providing the ductility required to absorb kinetic shock without shattering. The base of the blade (ricasso) is decorated with high-contrast silver inlay (Koftgari) floral motifs.
The Hilt (Zoormorphic Chased Steel): An all-steel hilt meticulously chased and engraved into the form of a Horse's Head.
Surface Detail: The entire hilt surface is covered in dense floral arabesques and geometric chasing. The horse’s mane is represented by rhythmic serrations along the back of the grip.
Ergonomics: The "pistol-grip" curvature aligns the blade’s point with the user's forearm bones. This configuration maximizes the linear efficiency of a thrust, ensuring that the kinetic energy is concentrated at the tip.
The Scabbard (Ceremonial Finish): Housed in a wooden-core scabbard wrapped in Royal Blue velvet.
Fittings: Features an oversized, matching chased steel locket (throat) and chape (tip). The locket’s scalloped edges and pierced openwork reveal the blue textile beneath, creating a unified aesthetic loop with the hilt.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Silver Stone of UdaipurDate made
circa 2007Dimensions
Dimension Description
15”Length
10 inCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodAcquisition
Acquisition Method
Purchase
