Prestige Khet Khutga-type Knife with Auspicious Motifs, Silver and Wood, Mongolia / China, late 19th - early 20th century

Mongolian khet khutga-type knife. The knife itself consists of a dark wood handle with a pommel topped by a finely chased silver cap and small brass plates along the blade. The single-edged blade is made of forged steel and shows significant patina and wear. The sheath is almost entirely covered in repoussé silver, with a very fine vegetal design. The long, openwork reinforcement on the back, ending in a suspension ring, is typical of knives worn on the belt. The sheath also features stylized animal motifs: a winged creature (fenghuang, or phoenix) at the top, and a face (or mask) depicting a dragon. These two motifs belong to the Chinese auspicious vocabulary, which could suggest an origin in the Inner Mongolia region or northern China. The knife also features friezes in the huiwen/continuous lightning bolt pattern, a traditional Chinese motif, on the scabbard bands. The sophisticated workmanship suggests a prestige item for an important person, and examples of this type have been found in the Dagur region. However, establishing a precise provenance is difficult, as these pieces were generally commissioned and the motifs chosen according to the recipient. Furthermore, the artisans who crafted them were most often itinerant. The dating is probably late 19th century. This knife was acquired from Tsetserleg Monastery.

Dimensions approximately 26 x 2 cm. Very good condition.