Jade dagger - Lot 411

Jade dagger Steel, jade, stones set in the kundan technique, gold and polychrome enamel India, 19th century L. 20.7 cm (Small accident at the base of the handle) This steel and jade dagger features a kundan handle decorated with brilliants, emeralds and rubies. This Indian technique allows gems to be set without the use of claws, by superimposing thin sheets of gold. On the four sides of the jade handle, the stones evoke flowers in friezes, as well as on the underside in a criss-cross rinceaux motif. The ferrule is in enamelled gold with a Mughal decoration of red flowers on a white background alternating with red flowers on a gold background. The single-edged damascus blade is probably taken from an earlier small kard.