art-of-swords

Ceremonial Zoomorphic Dagger

  • Dated: mid-16th century
  • Culture: Indian, Vijayanagar or Deccan
  • Medium: steel, bronze, rubies
  • Measurements: overall length 42 cm

In an elegant, flowing style the hilt consists on one side of a rather large lion holding a small elephant between his front paws and a phoenix bird and a dragon with a long tail on the other side. The base of the hilt consists of two phoenixes with their heads facing the steel blade.

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