A Fine South Indian Katar with European Blade
A Fine South Indian Katar with European Blade
Vijayanagara Empire - Kingdom of Mysore – Maratha Empire (Deccan - South India)
17th – Early 18th century
Steel, iron, gold, wood, velvet
Blade: 24,4cm
Hilt & Blade: 42,9cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 43,1cm
Collection Date: 2016
Collection Number: 67
Ex. Late Lewis Waldman Collection: Fayetteville, New York, USA (2016)
A fine South Indian katar from likely the Mysore region. The straight double- edged steel blade has an offset fuller at the base where the spine is thickened. The blade is the remainder of the pointed end of a cut down European backsword blade. A chiseled langlet is present in the form of a lotus. Iron dished-shaped guard hilt with two lobed blossoming flower buds on the cross bar. Within, are two mobile gold spinning links in place. Solid double contoured side bars with raised edges. The ends flaring outward. The entire hilt was overlayed in gold floral gilt of which much is now lost. Red velvet covered wood sheath, which is a later replacement.
A fine example dating to the 17th to the early 18th century in form. A very well- made and heavy example. The iron patina with the gold overylay has a crisp reflection when in refracting light.
[1] http://vikingsword.com/lew/w0252/w0252.html
[2] Pinchot, Oliver S. 2014. “Arms of the Paladins”. Page 27. Cat. 3-15
[3] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”. List No. 65; Item No. 18 (13971)
[4] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31530
[5] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31503
[6] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/large-southern-silver-gilt-katar
[7] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/south-indian-chiseled-iron-katar