A SOUTH INDIAN DAGGER (CHILANUM), 17TH/18TH CENTURY,... Lot 33

A SOUTH INDIAN DAGGER (CHILANUM), 17TH/18TH CENTURY, PROBABLY HYDERABAD, ANDHRA PRADESH with curved double-edged stout blade formed with a series of long deep fullers divided by a medial ridge, widening at the forte and pierced on each side to form a pair of stylised elephants, iron hilt comprising curved guard, bifurcated pommel, bud-shaped button with silver terminal, integral grip formed with a pronounced globular central moulding and retaining some early silver gilt decoration including a flower on each side on the pommel, 41.0 cm overall Roy Elvis catalogue number D41. A chilanum of this type, formerly in the Oldman collection, is preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, (acc. no. 36.25.751).