presentation & Wootz katar

Lew · 5th October 2010, 03:48 PM

Hi Tim

That is a real nice example my guess is 1835-50 probably from Rajasthan it seems that some of the Persian wootz ingots made their way back to that area. I have a katar with a high contrast wootz pattern also but it is the only one I have seen until now.

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

Lew

Jeff D · 6th October 2010, 01:49 AM

Hi Tim,

Great find. I cannot comment on the katar's shape or style, but, I think you can
make a case for it being 100 years earlier by the wootz. That high pattern activity with such vivid contrast suggests 18th century to me. 19th century wootz usually has more stripes and less activity, ultimately leading to the broken up "match stick" appearances.
I got to get a list of shops from you next time I head to Europe.

All the Best
Jeff

TimW · 6th October 2010, 07:39 AM

Thanks for all the feedback. Must admit i felt pretty happy when the wootz pattern popped out. As for the list of shops: no problem. By the way: paid 130 € for the piece (which is an ok price for a wootz katar).

Atlantia · 6th October 2010, 11:40 AM

Its a beauty. My guess would also be later 18th C. But there are members with very similar Katars who will doubtless be along presently to 'nail it down'.

Lew.
Aren't the Rajasthan Katars characterised by grip bars with central bulges that are wider than the side bars? Would this still count as Rajasthan type with its 'slimmer' grips?

5th October 2010, 03:48 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Tim That is a real nice example my guess is 1835-50 probably from Rajasthan it seems that some of the Persian wootz ingots made their way back to that area. I have a katar with a high contrast wootz pattern also but it is the only one I have seen until now. Congrats and welcome to the forum. Lew

6th October 2010, 01:49 AM	#2
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Tim, Great find. I cannot comment on the katar's shape or style, but, I think you can make a case for it being 100 years earlier by the wootz. That high pattern activity with such vivid contrast suggests 18th century to me. 19th century wootz usually has more stripes and less activity, ultimately leading to the broken up "match stick" appearances. I got to get a list of shops from you next time I head to Europe. All the Best Jeff

6th October 2010, 07:39 AM	#3
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	Thanks for all the feedback. Must admit i felt pretty happy when the wootz pattern popped out. As for the list of shops: no problem. By the way: paid 130 € for the piece (which is an ok price for a wootz katar).

6th October 2010, 11:40 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Its a beauty. My guess would also be later 18th C. But there are members with very similar Katars who will doubtless be along presently to 'nail it down'. Lew. Aren't the Rajasthan Katars characterised by grip bars with central bulges that are wider than the side bars? Would this still count as Rajasthan type with its 'slimmer' grips?