Makara hilt dagger

Title

Makara hilt dagger

Year/Period

Late 18th-early 19th century

Region

South India

Object Type

daggers (weapons), edged weapons

Material

metal

Technique

metalworking

Dimension

Object size:,
Object Size: H:20.0 x W:2.0 x D:4.5 cm

Accession No.

2011-02273

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This small dagger with an ‘S’ shaped blade has a hilt with the figure of the ‘makara’(a composite creature). The scales on the neck, the wings, the teeth and the leafy tail are very beautifully delineated.Possibly of Nayaka patronage, the dagger relates to many similar objects such as palanquin finials, ivory, wood and stone carvings of this period. The Nayakas ruled parts of eastern Karnataka between 14th to late 18th century.