Antique Indo Persian North Indian Islamic dagger Pesh kabz Karud 18th Century Mughal India

A very good quality antique Islamic large Indo-Persian dagger pesh-kabz from the 18th century, Mughal India, North India, Karud. 

The steel blade is single-edged, straight, sturdy, and of "T" shape cross-section. It gradually tapers from the hilt to the point and has an engraved wide rib at the back with scrolls.

The elaborate design of arabesques is chiseled on both sides of the forte within the shaped panel. The hilt is sturdy and is made up of two bone grip scales, which are secured to the blade's tang by three iron rivets. Copper straps enclose the hilt, and the bolster has a bird-head-shaped pommel with a finial for the tassel.

 The wooden scabbard is bound in hand-stitched leather and features an intricately shaped copper locket and a brass chape with a turban finial. 

REFERENCES:

1. "A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor" by George Cameron Stone.

2. Related Pesh kabz in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31453

3. A similar dagger, pesh kabz, is published in "Les Armes Blanches du Monde Islamique: Armes de poing, Épées, Sabres, Poignards, Couteaux" by Alain Jacob on page 214.

Please see the last picture in the listing.

The buyer will be provided with copies of the pages from these two mentioned references, along with a certificate of authenticity.

CONDITION: It is in overall good condition but has a split on the join of the copper straps near the pommel, and the blade is slightly pitted.

Please see all 17 pictures in the listing, as they are part of the object's condition description.

MEASUREMENTS:

Overall length with the scabbard: 51.5 cm (20 1/4 inches).

Overall length without the scabbard: 44.5 cm (17.5 inches).