Pair of Malabar Coast Knives

KeithJ · 21st October 2013, 06:53 PM

Dear Forum Members,

This is my first post and I want to thank everyone for including me. I would like to share a pair of unusual knives with the forum.

Two knowledgeable friends have suggested this pair of knives are probably from the Malabar Coast of India. I'm guessing they date to the 19th to early 20th century. The knives are 12 3/4" long overall and feel well balanced when held. I wonder how they would have been used?

Best regards,
KeithJ

RSWORD · 22nd October 2013, 01:19 PM

Keith,

You have a very nice pair of knives there. I think your friends are on the right track with the probable origin of these knives. They have a certain resemblance to Ayda Katti found amongst the Coorg. The blade, with the double fullers, have an almost Nepalese Khukri look to them and is not something I recall seeing in Ayda Katti. The checkered grip is also reminiscent of Ayda Katti. The Coorg reside in the broad region referred to as the Malabar Coast so I think these knives certainly originate in this broad region but perhaps more closely to the Coorg.

Runjeet Singh · 22nd October 2013, 02:17 PM

Keith,

I concur, I believe it is from the Malabar coast of India. Here is a similar one (and my description) of one I have previously sold.

Regards,
Runjeet

A finely made small South Indian Sacrificial Chopper, with influences taken from larger choppers from the South West Coast of India (Malabar Coast).

The highly burnished blade is superbly ground on both sides, with a razor sharp edge. A central V shaped brass block, presumably a practical design to allow the blood to drip away from the hand.

A faceted brass bolster and pommel mounted on a highly polished horn haft. A wonderfully made intriguing item, perhaps made for a demanding Englishman in India, who insisted on this high quality of finish. Most likely used for sacrificing small birds.

Overall length: 13in (332mm)
Blade length: 4.5in (115mm)

CharlesS · 22nd October 2013, 04:25 PM

Not only are these gorgeous knives, that is, beautifully mounted and decorated, but the blades recall very very early styles(forward curving) that are rarely seen outside of that region.

Lovely pieces!

KeithJ · 22nd October 2013, 05:45 PM

Thank you all for the feedback and opinions.

RSword, Haha, I thought they were fancy khukri when I acquired them, but was soon corrected by a more knowledgeable friend. I have started researching Coorg weapons on your advice.

Akaalarms, the kards you have on your website are beautiful, I really like the ones with the gold decoration! Beautiful Indian chopper and the brass bolster is similar, and sort of how the blade was crafted too.

Charles, thank you, I admired them from the moment I saw them.

Does my dating of late 19th - early 20th century seem accurate?

Best regards,
KJ

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd October 2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithJ

Dear Forum Members,

This is my first post and I want to thank everyone for including me. I would like to share a pair of unusual knives with the forum.

Two knowledgeable friends have suggested this pair of knives are probably from the Malabar Coast of India. I'm guessing they date to the 19th to early 20th century. The knives are 12 3/4" long overall and feel well balanced when held. I wonder how they would have been used?

Best regards,
KeithJ

Salaams KeithJ The designs appear to reflect the commonly grown pineapple plant. The thumb rest at the hilt appear to be pineapple form. This style of carving is also seen on Malibar chests carved into the front section...see photo below; somewhat oddly preferred as marriage chests in parts of Yemen... clearly linked to the cross Indian Ocean trade.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

KeithJ · 28th October 2013, 04:19 AM

Dear Ibrahiim,

The engraving does look like it might be pineapples. One of the engraved sides also has a bird, I wonder if the bird could be identified. Thank you for your enlightening post.

Best regards,
KeithJ

RSWORD · 28th October 2013, 12:17 PM

As far as dating, it really is anyone's guess but just given the overall quality, style of blade, patina to the brass and wood parts, my guess would be mid to late 19th century.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th October 2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithJ

Dear Ibrahiim,

The engraving does look like it might be pineapples. One of the engraved sides also has a bird, I wonder if the bird could be identified. Thank you for your enlightening post.

Best regards,
KeithJ

Salaams KeithJ It looks like it could be The Malabar Trogon There are 180 birds in the region to chose from but this is perhaps the only one with a neck arrangement similar to the subject photo at #1... I agree with the date by RSWORD.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

fearn · 29th October 2013, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithJ

Dear Ibrahiim,

The engraving does look like it might be pineapples. One of the engraved sides also has a bird, I wonder if the bird could be identified. Thank you for your enlightening post.

Best regards,
KeithJ

Pineapple? Or Pandanus? I can't tell, but they have similar fruits, at least when it comes to engraving at this level of complexity. In any event, the only thing a pineapple would tell was that it was 16th century or later, which I think most of us would guess based entirely on the blade.

Best,

F

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 29th October 2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearn

Pineapple? Or Pandanus? I can't tell, but they have similar fruits, at least when it comes to engraving at this level of complexity. In any event, the only thing a pineapple would tell was that it was 16th century or later, which I think most of us would guess based entirely on the blade.

Best,

F

cross etching
Salaams fearn~ Not quite the full story. In fact it is sometimes very difficult to pinpoint age on decoration alone. The carving, however, tells us that it's Malabari.. since design in associated woodcarving e.g. The Malabari Chest, carries the same style on the front and in addition what is not visible on the chest is the side panels which are cross etched # also like the daggers.

The age is agreed at about late 19th early 20th C.. but as you point out ... additionally from the general appearance, the blade wear and a certain feeling of its antiquity. The wood carving of that era in Malabar chests presents us with some linked evidence so I think the overall impression leads us to the age conclusion. The evidence is in the chests and the gut feeling is in the look of the item. One is factual whilst the other is apparent no?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

KeithJ · 31st October 2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

cross etching
Salaams fearn~ Not quite the full story. In fact it is sometimes very difficult to pinpoint age on decoration alone. The carving, however, tells us that it's Malabari.. since design in associated woodcarving e.g. The Malabari Chest, carries the same style on the front and in addition what is not visible on the chest is the side panels which are cross etched # also like the daggers.

The age is agreed at about late 19th early 20th C.. but as you point out ... additionally from the general appearance, the blade wear and a certain feeling of its antiquity. The wood carving of that era in Malabar chests presents us with some linked evidence so I think the overall impression leads us to the age conclusion. The evidence is in the chests and the gut feeling is in the look of the item. One is factual whilst the other is apparent no?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Dear Ibrahiim,

The question of using the chests carving to date the knives is an interesting one. It does raise a few questions, the main one being, when did carvings of a similar design appear in the Malabar Coast area? Is the engraved design a 19th century creation or was it copied from an earlier period? Some research into the area of MC pieces with similar designs on other mediums (furniture, fabric, metal wares), might add some insight into the age.

Best regards,
KeithJ

22nd October 2013, 02:17 PM	#3
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Keith, I concur, I believe it is from the Malabar coast of India. Here is a similar one (and my description) of one I have previously sold. Regards, Runjeet A finely made small South Indian Sacrificial Chopper, with influences taken from larger choppers from the South West Coast of India (Malabar Coast). The highly burnished blade is superbly ground on both sides, with a razor sharp edge. A central V shaped brass block, presumably a practical design to allow the blood to drip away from the hand. A faceted brass bolster and pommel mounted on a highly polished horn haft. A wonderfully made intriguing item, perhaps made for a demanding Englishman in India, who insisted on this high quality of finish. Most likely used for sacrificing small birds. Overall length: 13in (332mm) Blade length: 4.5in (115mm) Attached Images

21st October 2013, 06:53 PM	#1
KeithJ Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Pair of Malabar Coast Knives Dear Forum Members, This is my first post and I want to thank everyone for including me. I would like to share a pair of unusual knives with the forum. Two knowledgeable friends have suggested this pair of knives are probably from the Malabar Coast of India. I'm guessing they date to the 19th to early 20th century. The knives are 12 3/4" long overall and feel well balanced when held. I wonder how they would have been used? Best regards, KeithJ Attached Images

22nd October 2013, 01:19 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Keith, You have a very nice pair of knives there. I think your friends are on the right track with the probable origin of these knives. They have a certain resemblance to Ayda Katti found amongst the Coorg. The blade, with the double fullers, have an almost Nepalese Khukri look to them and is not something I recall seeing in Ayda Katti. The checkered grip is also reminiscent of Ayda Katti. The Coorg reside in the broad region referred to as the Malabar Coast so I think these knives certainly originate in this broad region but perhaps more closely to the Coorg.

22nd October 2013, 04:25 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Not only are these gorgeous knives, that is, beautifully mounted and decorated, but the blades recall very very early styles(forward curving) that are rarely seen outside of that region. Lovely pieces!

22nd October 2013, 05:45 PM	#5
KeithJ Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Thank you all for the feedback and opinions. RSword, Haha, I thought they were fancy khukri when I acquired them, but was soon corrected by a more knowledgeable friend. I have started researching Coorg weapons on your advice. Akaalarms, the kards you have on your website are beautiful, I really like the ones with the gold decoration! Beautiful Indian chopper and the brass bolster is similar, and sort of how the blade was crafted too. Charles, thank you, I admired them from the moment I saw them. Does my dating of late 19th - early 20th century seem accurate? Best regards, KJ

28th October 2013, 04:19 AM	#7
KeithJ Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 5	Dear Ibrahiim, The engraving does look like it might be pineapples. One of the engraved sides also has a bird, I wonder if the bird could be identified. Thank you for your enlightening post. Best regards, KeithJ

28th October 2013, 12:17 PM	#8
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	As far as dating, it really is anyone's guess but just given the overall quality, style of blade, patina to the brass and wood parts, my guess would be mid to late 19th century.