New Hindu Khanjar

archer · 10th November 2012, 10:55 PM

This dagger just came in it has a brass Cali Hilt design with a bird body. My limited reference books show this style associated with items from the Raja of Tanjore's collection and Jahanjir. there seems to be more details of the birds body on this one. Sometimes Cali is depicted with a Heron or other birds body, I'm not sure which bird this represents. The 6 1/4 inch blade has an incised pattern the overall length is 11 inches. Is it a Khanjar or more closely related to its Hindu origins in Tanjore? Any Idea Which raja of Tanjore?
The birds talons hold a square pattern looking like it could have been used as a Wax Seal. Any ideas on age?

ariel · 11th November 2012, 01:24 PM

Excellent!
Congratulations and enjoy it!

Lew · 11th November 2012, 02:25 PM

Stunning! Is the blade wootz or pattern welded steel?

Congrats!

Lew

fernando · 11th November 2012, 04:08 PM

Fascinating

Pukka Bundook · 11th November 2012, 04:20 PM

Hello Archer,

There is a late 17th C sword from Tanjore with a similar hilt to this. (Similar, not the same)
The creature is a Yali, with a bird body.
Firmly Hindu.
Tanjore down-turned quillons often have animal or bird head finials.

Blade looks very nice quality, but I'm always hesitant when it comes to brass hilts, as they are hard to date, for me anyway!...and easy to duplicate.
Jens knows much more about these things than I ever will, and he will set us all straight!

Best,
Richard.

archer · 12th November 2012, 01:54 AM

Short Update while waiting to hear from Jens or others on their thoughts. Thank you for your comments and information. I noticed today that although seller thought hilt was brass a couple of wear spots show what appears to be copper under gilding. under Calis tongue which was moveable currently stuck from shipping. Another worn area is on the knuckle guard. The blade is likely fine wootz a pattern shows through. Pant shows a drawing of a dagger in Tanjore and mentions Jahangir a son of Akbar. Akbar was quite lenient with other faiths. I thought the Mughals controlled the North and central areas only.

Thanks, Steve

10th November 2012, 10:55 PM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	New Hindu Khanjar This dagger just came in it has a brass Cali Hilt design with a bird body. My limited reference books show this style associated with items from the Raja of Tanjore's collection and Jahanjir. there seems to be more details of the birds body on this one. Sometimes Cali is depicted with a Heron or other birds body, I'm not sure which bird this represents. The 6 1/4 inch blade has an incised pattern the overall length is 11 inches. Is it a Khanjar or more closely related to its Hindu origins in Tanjore? Any Idea Which raja of Tanjore? The birds talons hold a square pattern looking like it could have been used as a Wax Seal. Any ideas on age? Attached Images

12th November 2012, 01:54 AM	#6
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Update Short Update while waiting to hear from Jens or others on their thoughts. Thank you for your comments and information. I noticed today that although seller thought hilt was brass a couple of wear spots show what appears to be copper under gilding. under Calis tongue which was moveable currently stuck from shipping. Another worn area is on the knuckle guard. The blade is likely fine wootz a pattern shows through. Pant shows a drawing of a dagger in Tanjore and mentions Jahangir a son of Akbar. Akbar was quite lenient with other faiths. I thought the Mughals controlled the North and central areas only. Thanks, Steve Attached Images

11th November 2012, 01:24 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Excellent! Congratulations and enjoy it!

11th November 2012, 02:25 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Stunning! Is the blade wootz or pattern welded steel? Congrats! Lew

11th November 2012, 04:08 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Fascinating

11th November 2012, 04:20 PM	#5
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Hello Archer, There is a late 17th C sword from Tanjore with a similar hilt to this. (Similar, not the same) The creature is a Yali, with a bird body. Firmly Hindu. Tanjore down-turned quillons often have animal or bird head finials. Blade looks very nice quality, but I'm always hesitant when it comes to brass hilts, as they are hard to date, for me anyway!...and easy to duplicate. Jens knows much more about these things than I ever will, and he will set us all straight! Best, Richard.