Katar for Comments

TVV · 26th January 2014, 12:26 AM

Indian weapons are a bit outside my main interests, but I really liked this katar. I know very little about it and katars in general. Per Pant, it would appear that the correct name is jamadhar, but katar seems to have become the accepted term among collectors, so I am sticking with it. My guess is that my is from Northern India, Rajasthan perhaps? It has a wootz blade (always hard to photograph for me), and a hilt with gold koftgari decoration. Unfortunately, the hilt is in rough shape, with losses to the koftgari. There is an inscription below the guard, but I doubt anyone would be able to read it as it appears some of it has been erased. The scabbard is missing the chape, but at least it looks like it is the original scabbard.

Can the Indian weapons experts venture a guess on age (mine would be early 19th century) and area of origin?

Thank you,
Teodor

ArmsAndAntiques · 26th January 2014, 05:18 AM

I would agree with a 19th C. dating, possibly earlier. It's quite uncommon to find one with Devangari writing in koftgari, which yours appears to have remnants of. The form and shape are similar to one I had a few years back. I would imagine they would be more likely to be from a similar area. The tools on the one that I had were overlaid in a very similar style koftgari.

TVV · 27th January 2014, 06:45 PM

Thank you ArmsAndAntiques, the example you show, while much finer than mine, is very similar in form. Interesting to see all the utensils as well.

Teodor

Jens Nordlunde · 29th December 2019, 04:38 PM

Is it possible that someone can translate what is left of the text on TVV's katar?

ariel · 30th December 2019, 12:01 AM

I sent a pic of the inscription to my study coordinator ( she is from Chennai).
Do not expect quick answer: it’s New Year time.
Moreover, who knows what language was used.

Battara · 30th December 2019, 12:12 AM

What makes it extra hard is the rust underneath that has lifted off the overlying koftgari.

26th January 2014, 12:26 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Katar for Comments Indian weapons are a bit outside my main interests, but I really liked this katar. I know very little about it and katars in general. Per Pant, it would appear that the correct name is jamadhar, but katar seems to have become the accepted term among collectors, so I am sticking with it. My guess is that my is from Northern India, Rajasthan perhaps? It has a wootz blade (always hard to photograph for me), and a hilt with gold koftgari decoration. Unfortunately, the hilt is in rough shape, with losses to the koftgari. There is an inscription below the guard, but I doubt anyone would be able to read it as it appears some of it has been erased. The scabbard is missing the chape, but at least it looks like it is the original scabbard. Can the Indian weapons experts venture a guess on age (mine would be early 19th century) and area of origin? Thank you, Teodor Attached Images

26th January 2014, 05:18 AM	#2
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	I would agree with a 19th C. dating, possibly earlier. It's quite uncommon to find one with Devangari writing in koftgari, which yours appears to have remnants of. The form and shape are similar to one I had a few years back. I would imagine they would be more likely to be from a similar area. The tools on the one that I had were overlaid in a very similar style koftgari. Attached Images

27th January 2014, 06:45 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,619	Thank you ArmsAndAntiques, the example you show, while much finer than mine, is very similar in form. Interesting to see all the utensils as well. Teodor

29th December 2019, 04:38 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Is it possible that someone can translate what is left of the text on TVV's katar?

30th December 2019, 12:01 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I sent a pic of the inscription to my study coordinator ( she is from Chennai). Do not expect quick answer: it’s New Year time. Moreover, who knows what language was used.

30th December 2019, 12:12 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	What makes it extra hard is the rust underneath that has lifted off the overlying koftgari.