Hilt of a Dagger

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Horse-head dagger hilts are first depicted in paintings of the Padshahnama (Chronicle of the King of the World), about 1635, a manuscript documenting the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58). As horses were highly prized in Mughal culture, it is not surprising that horse-head daggers were the most popular subject for zoomorphic hilts for several centuries. This example is notable for its sensitive carving of the horse’s head and mane.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art