When it comes to Indian arms - Indian Zoomorphic Daggers

Jens Nordlunde · 11th February 2020, 09:42 PM

Thank you Alex.
Is it inlaid or koftgari?
My gues is inlay, and i do love the 'flaming pearls':-).

Richard Furrer · 11th February 2020, 10:13 PM

Jens, On that Khanjar with a nilgai head....can you show a larger photo of the weld junction between the body of the blade and the tip?

I have several 1900's all metal daggers with ram heads and modern stone carved handles with many animals...not really worth showing you lot.

Ric

mariusgmioc · 12th February 2020, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Furrer

Jens, On that Khanjar with a nilgai head....can you show a larger photo of the weld junction between the body of the blade and the tip?

I have several 1900's all metal daggers with ram heads and modern stone carved handles with many animals...not really worth showing you lot.

Ric

I do not think there is any weld between the body of the blade and the tip. The discoloration at the tip is because of differential heat treatment.

I have several wootz blades and a fair share of them have this kind of discolorations.

Jens Nordlunde · 12th February 2020, 09:32 AM

Richard, do you mean this part?

mariusgmioc · 12th February 2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Richard, do you mean this part?

Thank you Jens!

Now I believe there might be a welding area, right at junction between the fuller and the reinforced tip.

Very interesting. Very possible that a harder variety of wootz has been used for the tip.

ALEX · 12th February 2020, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Thank you Alex.
Is it inlaid or koftgari?
My gues is inlay, and i do love the 'flaming pearls':-).

Jens, it appears to be coftgari, but you're right - it is exceptionally fine gold inlay work from 17th Century.

Jens Nordlunde · 12th February 2020, 01:04 PM

Alex, I thought it would be inlay, bu from the picture it is difficult to see. I agree with your dating as well.

kino · 20th April 2026, 06:26 PM

A recent find. Not really in my field, but I couldn’t walk away from the knife show without buying something.
I’m guessing it’s Indian based on the Makara(?).

Ian · 24th April 2026, 07:44 PM

Kino,

Can you post better pics of the hilt and pommel from different angles. It's not a makara as best I can tell, but perhaps something interesting from the feline family (judging from the ears).

Regards, Ian.

Interested Party · 26th April 2026, 06:47 PM

The circle and dot patterns make me wonder why not Northern Indian/Afghani?

Ian · 26th April 2026, 07:40 PM

The feline (?) pommel in side view first reminded me of a Ceylonese lion such as depicted on the Sri Lankan flag: mouth open and prominent upturned nose. Front view not so much. This pre-historic lion is also shown without a mane. Perhaps a civet or other member of the cat family.

The T-spine certainly suggests northern India/Afghanistan/Pakistan region.

12th February 2020, 09:32 AM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Richard, do you mean this part? Attached Images

20th April 2026, 06:26 PM	#8
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,038	A recent find. Not really in my field, but I couldn’t walk away from the knife show without buying something. I’m guessing it’s Indian based on the Makara(?). Attached Images

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11th February 2020, 09:42 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Thank you Alex. Is it inlaid or koftgari? My gues is inlay, and i do love the 'flaming pearls':-).

11th February 2020, 10:13 PM	#2
Richard Furrer Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 163	Jens, On that Khanjar with a nilgai head....can you show a larger photo of the weld junction between the body of the blade and the tip? I have several 1900's all metal daggers with ram heads and modern stone carved handles with many animals...not really worth showing you lot. Ric

12th February 2020, 01:04 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Alex, I thought it would be inlay, bu from the picture it is difficult to see. I agree with your dating as well.

24th April 2026, 07:44 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,746	Kino, Can you post better pics of the hilt and pommel from different angles. It's not a makara as best I can tell, but perhaps something interesting from the feline family (judging from the ears). Regards, Ian.

26th April 2026, 06:47 PM	#10
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 535	The circle and dot patterns make me wonder why not Northern Indian/Afghani?

26th April 2026, 07:40 PM	#11
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,746	The feline (?) pommel in side view first reminded me of a Ceylonese lion such as depicted on the Sri Lankan flag: mouth open and prominent upturned nose. Front view not so much. This pre-historic lion is also shown without a mane. Perhaps a civet or other member of the cat family. The T-spine certainly suggests northern India/Afghanistan/Pakistan region.