![](https://vmfa-dmz-new.piction.com/piction/ump.di?e=9BAABA43146E8A31B7CC461B8A82857BED85F910194E333D5D61A59E31634195&s=21&se=1618128786&v=1&f=xx2003_55_v1_TF_201002_o7.jpg)
Dagger (Kard) and Scabbard (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This kard—a straight, single-edged dagger—features an elephant-headed pommel. While weapons with horse, antelope, and lion heads were popular at the Mughal court, few examples with elephant heads are known. Perhaps a noble at one of Rajasthan’s semi-independent Rajput courts requested the use of this particularly Indian animal. A beautiful showpiece, its handle and scabbard feature coordinated designs of a lotus pond on one side and assorted flowers on the other. A gilded parrot whimsically decorates the scabbard’s tip.
Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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