With a fine wootz blade with a pronounced center ridge.
This item has been sold.
Overall length
38 cm
Blade length
21 cm
Blade thickness
Base 5.5 mm
Tip 12.4 mm
Blade width
Base 47 mm
Tip 22 mm
Weight
618 grams
Point of balance
At hilt-blade junction
Materials
Iron, steel, wootz, gold
Origin
Probably Kota
Southern Rajasthan
Dating
18th-19th century
Provenance
From a European collection
Sold
Description
A North Indian katar with relatively narrow blade. It has two sunken panels with faint diagonal ridges in the center, lightly etched to a reveal an Indian dendrite wootz structure. The cutting edges and point are burnished bright, as was the Northern aesthetic.
The hilt has a copper base reminiscent of Southern styles. It even has vestigial langets, but without the riveting that a Southern katar would have, this blade is forge welded on its hilt.
The sidebars widen noteceably towards their ends, and the handlebars are peaked. The hilt is covered with remains of gold overlay.
Attribution
Katar of this form were produced in Kota, in the southern part of Rajasthan.
"False damascening in gold from Kotah; cost Rs 50."
From: Thomas Holbein Hendley;
Damascening on steel or iron as practiced in India.
W. Griggs & Sons, Ltd. London 1892. Plate 25.
Currently available:
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Price on request
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