Dear John, Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry and I wish you a Happy New Year 2022. My sincere apologies for the delay with the appraisal. The presented object appears to be a Indo-Persian Koftgari dagger with a Damascus blade. The surface of the handle and the scabbard are decorated with a nielloed floral decor. Koftgari is the name for an Indian metal inlay technique that was mainly used for weapons like swords and daggers. The handle ends in the head of a big cat and the handguards are decorated with ram heads. The curved Damascus steel blade has an inlaid cartouche with an Arabian inscription which is probably and religious poem. This dagger was made in the 19th or 20th century. This piece is in good condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided. A fair market estimation would be between 150 to 400 USD. This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary. With kind regards, George
