Indian, India Sri Lanka

With its graceful curved blade and carved hilt, this Indian dagger, known as a khanjar, was likely owned and worn by someone of high rank. Its elaborately sculpted stained-ivory handle ends with the head of a yali, a lion-like creature of Hindu mythology. The yali’s tongue extends to lick the small feline cub at the end of the steel knuckle guard. Believed to have protective powers, the yali might have served as a talisman for its wearer.