Indian Agate Hilted Khanjar Dagger

An unusual Indian Dagger. Stout recurved steel blade, double-edged. The forte with interesting baluster shaped mounting with traces of gold decoration. The hilt shaped from a single piece of highly decorative stone with striations of cream and brown. Examples hilted in similar stones do exist, usually in the Mughal taste and are indicitive of high quality pieces, as suggested by the goldwork which would once have embellished this piece. 13.5 inches long overall. 18th/19th century. indo persian