Description:

Central Asia, southern India, Mughal Period, ca. 18th century CE. A steel katar (also katara or bundi dagger), with an H-shaped horizontal hand grip and a long, pointed, triangular blade that sits below the user's knuckles. Inlaid gold koftgari on the handle forms repeated floral motifs, and dates this example to earlier than many extant katars. A pronounced ridge and triangular raised lines near the handle contribute to the design of the piece. These types of daggers are unique to southern Asia; ceremonial examples are used in worship, but they are also used in hand-to-hand combat, when they can be punched with the full body weight behind them rather than thrusting as one does with a sword or staff. The inlaid gold on this example marks it out as one to be used in ceremony. A triangular leather sheath fits comfortably over the blade. Size: 16.6" L x 2.8" W (42.2 cm x 7.1 cm); quality of gold gilding: 27.84%

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-John Richardson collection, Massachusetts, USA

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#179834

  • Condition: Slight bending to handle flanges and blade, with light abrasions and nicks commensurate with age, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Leather sheath has abrasions, fading to red hue, and a lead tip that is perhaps not original to the tip.

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December 21, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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