Persian Pesh-kabz

mariusgmioc · 9th August 2016, 04:24 PM

I would like to know oppinions about the age of the wootz Pesh-kabz in the photos attached.

I have a rough idea about its age but I would rather not put it down as I don't want to create any bias.

Sajen · 9th August 2016, 04:28 PM

Not the area of my collecting but it's a beautiful dagger!

Regards,
Detlef

estcrh · 9th August 2016, 07:20 PM

Very nice, I would guess 18th century based on others I have seen and the detail work that often is not as extensive on later examples, just a guess though.

Ian · 9th August 2016, 07:27 PM

This is remarkably well preserved and the koftgari work is perfect--clear and crisp. I don't think this one is very old. There is some beautiful work being produced in Rajasthan these days, with high quality silver and gold inlays. The marine ivory (?) hilt is also perfect (apart from one small crack and chip adjacent to the blade). Just too pristine to be very old IMO. But I have been wrong before.

mariusgmioc · 9th August 2016, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

This is remarkably well preserved and the koftgari work is perfect--clear and crisp. I don't think this one is very old. There is some beautiful work being produced in Rajasthan these days, with high quality silver and gold inlays. The marine ivory (?) hilt is also perfect (apart from one small crack and chip adjacent to the blade). Just too pristine to be very old IMO. But I have been wrong before.

It is not koftgary but true inlay damascening...

And it is wootz.

One more photo after etching. I don't know if it is noticeable in the first photos that the blade is rather heavily pitted. So I etched it almost without any additional polishing directly over the existing pitting.

Comes from a generations old Baron von Weyhe collection.

estcrh · 9th August 2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

This is remarkably well preserved and the koftgari work is perfect--clear and crisp. I don't think this one is very old. There is some beautiful work being produced in Rajasthan these days, with high quality silver and gold inlays. The marine ivory (?) hilt is also perfect (apart from one small crack and chip adjacent to the blade). Just too pristine to be very old IMO. But I have been wrong before.

I think the wear to the hilt is consistent with a dagger that was worn for a long time but not pulled out very often. I have not seen a modern made Indian example with a worn walrus ivory hilt.

mahratt · 9th August 2016, 09:16 PM

Beautiful dagger!

mariusgmioc · 9th August 2016, 09:16 PM

There simply aren't ANY modern Indian examples made of wootz!

Ian · 9th August 2016, 09:19 PM

marius:

The only way an old knife like this could have survived in its present condition is for it to have been handled very seldom and basically kept in a cabinet or drawer. That it came from an old collection, and probably not worn during that time, would explain why it has remained so pristine. It is a very high quality knife. Congratulations if you happen to own it.

There are similar knives with koftgari work (rather than inlaid) still being made. I'm not sure if walrus ivory is still available for use on such modern examples.

Ian.

9th August 2016, 04:24 PM	#1
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Persian Pesh-kabz I would like to know oppinions about the age of the wootz Pesh-kabz in the photos attached. I have a rough idea about its age but I would rather not put it down as I don't want to create any bias. Attached Images

9th August 2016, 07:20 PM	#3
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,497	Very nice, I would guess 18th century based on others I have seen and the detail work that often is not as extensive on later examples, just a guess though. Attached Images

9th August 2016, 04:28 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	Not the area of my collecting but it's a beautiful dagger! Regards, Detlef

9th August 2016, 07:27 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	This is remarkably well preserved and the koftgari work is perfect--clear and crisp. I don't think this one is very old. There is some beautiful work being produced in Rajasthan these days, with high quality silver and gold inlays. The marine ivory (?) hilt is also perfect (apart from one small crack and chip adjacent to the blade). Just too pristine to be very old IMO. But I have been wrong before.

9th August 2016, 09:16 PM	#7
mahratt Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 1,042	Beautiful dagger!

9th August 2016, 09:19 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	marius: The only way an old knife like this could have survived in its present condition is for it to have been handled very seldom and basically kept in a cabinet or drawer. That it came from an old collection, and probably not worn during that time, would explain why it has remained so pristine. It is a very high quality knife. Congratulations if you happen to own it. There are similar knives with koftgari work (rather than inlaid) still being made. I'm not sure if walrus ivory is still available for use on such modern examples. Ian.