Karud
Sindh - Punjab - Kashmir and Jammu, British Raj (Pakistan - India)
Last quarter of the 19th century
Steel, iron, horn, ivory, silk, wood, metal alloy
Blade: 22,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 34,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 42,2cm
Collection Date: 2021

Ex. UK Art Market (2021)

A fine karud dagger from the region of Northwest India, dating to the last quarter of the 19th century.

The single-edged straight blade has a pronounced T-shaped spine cross section that tapers into an acute point. The blade is made from a sharpening file showing the cross- hatched file pattern still present. Thick rounded iron bolster with remnants of silver koftgari and an iron backstrap.

The hilt is composed of two dark horn scale grips fastened in place with three nails riveted by silver rosettes. One rivet on each side is now missing. The horn grips are highly decorated in beautiful trefoil ivory inlays prominent in North Indian decor and textile patterns.

Dark wooden sheath adorned with silver mounts and filigree that consists of the throat, chape, and three bands. A brown silk sash is tied to both the dagger and sheath. A beautiful knife with gorgeous inlays to the scale grips, complete with silver mounted sheath and original sash.

[1] https://www.the-mansfield-collection.com/tabar-135 (Comparison of inlay decoration to a Khyber Tabar blade motif)