World’s Most Expensive Knife – Part I

Commissioned initially by Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, in the early 1600s, the Shah Jahan Kard Dagger represents a significant artifact in the history of knives. Valued at $3,375,000 at Christie’s Auction. Jahangir’s demise in 1627 led to the inheritance of the dagger by his son, Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan, ruling the Mughal empire from 1628 to 1658, oversaw a period marked by cultural and architectural advancements, including the construction of the Taj Mahal.

The dagger stands as a pinnacle of Mughal art. Its most distinctive feature, the hilt, showcases a three-dimensional head sculpted from jade stone, reflecting European artistic influences likely from European lapidaries at the Mughal court. The blade, adorned with scrolling designs and nasta’liq script inlaid in gold at the top, echoes Iranian artistic styles prevalent during the Mughal era.

A kard typically has a straight, single-edged blade. This particular kard, crafted from watered steel, measures 11 5/8 inches, with the entire dagger reaching a length of 16 inches. Historical records do not clearly state the exact dates of the dagger’s commission and completion. It is speculated that Shah Jahan might have inherited only the hilt from his father, later adding the blade and a gold inscription featuring an umbrella and a fish on each side.