Hilt of a Dagger

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a dagger hilt. The hilt is made of ivory or bone. The hilt is cylindrical with a flat base and top. The hilt has intricate carvings of animals, including lions and birds, in a naturalistic style. The carvings are interlaced. The top of the hilt has a decorative border featuring curved shapes. On top of the hilt is a carved animal, likely a lion, with its mouth open. The animal is lying down with its head turned to the left. The background of the image is plain and light-colored. The artist of the object is unknown.