Fire-steel (length 1 5/8 in); very small; shaped like a whale

Fire-steel (length 1 5/8 in); very small; shaped like a whale, with tail raised, but the seeming tail probably a conventionalized dragon's head; back cut ornamentally; on sides a few dots and short curved lines, lightly engraved. [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.]