Fire-steel (length 5 1/2 ins)

Fire-steel (length 5 1/2 ins), of thick metal, pointed at bottom; turned back at top and ending in head of crane, much conventionalized, on long tapering neck; face of steel deeply cut away by long use; both sides bear a similar design in relief, chased, representing two tigers facing one another and apparently consuming some prey in a forest (the design much cut into by wear of face of steel); probably 16th century. [NB: One of 19 examples (nos. 487-505) which are all believed to be Persian or Indo-Persian and some to be very old. They are all of peculiar, but elegant, shape. Several are decorated by excellent damascene-work in gold. Together they form a handsome and interesting series which is worthy of special notice.]