A Fine Wootz Karud
A Fine Wootz Karud
Sikh Empire - Rajputana (North India, Pakistan) - Durrani Empire (Afghanistan)
Early 19th century
Steel, ivory, gold
Blade: 30,2cm
Hilt & Blade: 41,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2020
Ex. American Private Collection
A fine karud dagger with a wootz blade from the region of North India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan dating to the early 19th century. The single-edged straight blade has a pronounced T-shaped spine cross section that tapers into an acute point. The inside plane has a fine watered wootz in entirety with burls and swirling pattern. The blade edge raised and chamfered, being highly polished from the wootz background. The hilt is composed of two thick and finely aged elephant ivory scale grips riveted in place with four nails on each side. One minor chip to the hilt on the bottom side. Steel bolster and backstrap decorated in a gold gilt overlay of floral motifs and meandering vines. Some of the gold is now lost to time. The knife came with a more recent wooden sheath (not shown) covered in a red velvet with flora pattern and gold wire embroidery. A beautiful knife with a fine wootz blade and aesthetic patina to the scale grips. A very sharp blade on this one as well (a few finger cuts in the process).
[1] Manouchehr, Moshtagh Khorasani. 2006. “Arms and Armor from Iran”. Page 618. Cat. 260
[2] W. O. Oldman, “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”, November 1904: List No. 20; Item #41 (6493)
[3] Sotheby’s Olympia Auction, 26 June 2003, Page 14, Lot 9
[4] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31738
[5] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31688
[6] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31453
[7] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/long-wootz-karud
[8] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=8344
[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2961