A Fine Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

  • A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud

A Fine Large Indian Rhinoceros Horn Wootz Karud
North India (Pakistan, India)
Mid- 19th century
Wootz steel, rhinoceros horn, gold koftgari, wood, velvet, brass
Blade: 29,8cm
Hilt & Blade: 40,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 45,7cm
Collection Date: 2022

Ex. Auctions Imperial: Chatsworth, California, USA (2022)
Ex. Private Family Collection (ca. 1860 - 2022)

A fine karud dagger of large proportions from North India dating to the mid-19th century. This massive example is set apart by its fine rhinoceros horn slab grips, which are uncommonly used compared to the more frequent medium of wood, bone, horn, or ivory grips.
The single-edged steel blade is high contrast wootz in the woodgrain or mottled pattern. It has a T-shaped spine, steel bolster, and backstrap overlayed in gold koftgari in floral and zig-zag motifs. The grips are composed of massive slabs of Asian rhino horn fastened by five rivets on each side. The sheath is a wood base, covered by red velvet with brass chape and locket mounts, stippled with floral punched designs.


This dagger was reportedly in the previous collector's hands for the past 50 years and has been passed down in the family collection since the 1860s when it was obtained in India, according to Oliver S. Pinchot.