World Record Knife Price?

[deo-pa]

I was thinking about this topic, and as best I can tell the record was set at a Christie's auction in 2019 where the dagger below sold for $3,375,000. It was made circa 1625 in northern India for Shah Jahan, the 5th emperor of the Mughal Empire (which stretched from Afghanistan to India).

The dagger is a bit under 12" long with a handle carved from Chinese jade and the blade has gold embellishments.

These days we tend to disparage Indian and Pakistani knives, but Ino doubt there must still be superb craftsmen there who turn out world class knives we would all be proud to own. Do we have any folks here with examples of modern high-end Indian knives? I'd love to see what you have.

Dennis

[deo-pa]

Sorry, World RECORD Knife Price! Can't edit the title. Sloppy me.

Dennis

Thanks to the Admin for correcting my spelling!

[btrwtr]

Great post Dennis. The knife is deceptively large being nearly 12" the blade must be near 8" in length. I think that speaks to how finely made it is.

[FRJ]

The carving of the Jade speaks to me.
Who does that and with what tools?
So finely done and incomprehensible.

[deo-pa]

So finely done and incomprehensible.

I agree Joe, it's beautiful work. If you Google "intricate jade carving" and then view the images you see some amazing work, such as the example below.

Dennis

[FRJ]

That is absolutely amazing.
And I thought my little planter was spiffy.

[ken98k]

This one is even older, and probably more expensive but it will (never) be sold. King Tut's knife. (EDITED)

[Lars0729]

Great post Dennis - thanks for sharing. I love this topic...it's right in line with all the knife books I own filled with fantastic and historical knives I'll never get to own, let alone hold.

Asian blade smiths have always been supurb artisans, but let's not forget that a good portion of the sale price is commanded by "who" owned it as well. I have several wonderfully made bowies from Asia (Pakistan, India, China) that will sell for $59-$89 as is. But show that Elton John or Elvis once owned it, then the sells for $3500.00 (and no one questions where the steel came from!). Prove it was at Waterloo, then it's $15,000.00.

So once I become famous, change the course of world history, and live for 500-10,000 years, then my knife will sell at Christie's too!

[CarMan]

That would be an impressive piece made with modern tools, but considering the tools and steady hand that made it back then makes it exquisite.
And, it’s not even a Case knife lol

[wlf]

There has been some amazing God gifted artisans, even not long after the beginning of time.

Thanks Dennis , and joe that pot is not a chump.