Tulwar - Faux Wootz, Koftgari

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:19 PM

Hi everyone,

Recently I saw a number of tulwar come up on ebay that shared some similar features: false imitation wootz, and a peculiar silver koftgari ensemble on the handle.

The faux wootz is a pattern etched using a wax resist method. It's been discussed before. The handle's koftgari theme consists of simple and rather crude circular motifs and lines, but it looks pretty good.

My understanding is that these are mid-late 19th century punjabi work. Any thoughts on these and why I saw four similar swords come on the market this summer?

Cheers,
Emanuel

Tulwar 1 - doesn't have the false wootz blade, but rather one with very crude shikargar type hunting scenes

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:20 PM

Tulwar 2

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:20 PM

Tulwar 3 - I believe one sold by RSword recently.

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:26 PM

Tulwar 4 - A nice one from Oriental-Arms

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:30 PM

All in all, different blade types, although two of them with faux wootz, and near identical handles, suggesting the same handle/koftgari shop.

They all look like nice pieces, although I'm no fan of the crudely scratched shikargar hunting tulwar, but I'm very curious why they seem to have popped up recently (possible exception the Oriental Arms one, no idea when it was sold).

Thanks
Emanuel

Emanuel · 26th July 2013, 02:34 PM

Another example owned by Lew that he got some years ago, so maybe not a very new phenomenon.

26th July 2013, 02:19 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Tulwar - Faux Wootz, Koftgari Hi everyone, Recently I saw a number of tulwar come up on ebay that shared some similar features: false imitation wootz, and a peculiar silver koftgari ensemble on the handle. The faux wootz is a pattern etched using a wax resist method. It's been discussed before. The handle's koftgari theme consists of simple and rather crude circular motifs and lines, but it looks pretty good. My understanding is that these are mid-late 19th century punjabi work. Any thoughts on these and why I saw four similar swords come on the market this summer? Cheers, Emanuel Tulwar 1 - doesn't have the false wootz blade, but rather one with very crude shikargar type hunting scenes Attached Images

26th July 2013, 02:20 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Tulwar 2 Tulwar 2 Attached Images

26th July 2013, 02:20 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Tulwar 3 - I believe one sold by RSword recently. Attached Images

26th July 2013, 02:26 PM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Tulwar 4 - A nice one from Oriental-Arms Attached Images

26th July 2013, 02:34 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Another example owned by Lew that he got some years ago, so maybe not a very new phenomenon. Attached Images

26th July 2013, 02:30 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	All in all, different blade types, although two of them with faux wootz, and near identical handles, suggesting the same handle/koftgari shop. They all look like nice pieces, although I'm no fan of the crudely scratched shikargar hunting tulwar, but I'm very curious why they seem to have popped up recently (possible exception the Oriental Arms one, no idea when it was sold). Thanks Emanuel