Peshkabz
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1800 - 1900
Materials
steel & bone
Measurements
400 mm (H); 50 mm (W); 35 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107299
Summary
This is a dagger (Peshkabz) that originates from the Kurram Valley on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border and was used by the Mahsud tribe. It has the typically pronounced 'T' shaped spine and has a hilt made from bone that has been carved with diagonal stripes with a dotted circle motif, it is thought that this pattern may symbolize a shield and therefore was considered to have protective qualities. '[khyber knife] Another, similar, with horn and brass handle and brass-mounted sheath - Kurram Valley' (Christies entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.