Pesh-kabz dating.

Bob A · 24th October 2022, 04:58 PM

I agree with your statements. The blade looks crude, the koftgari has not seen use, and the blade profile seems somewhat unusual.

I'd have passed on it as well.

Tim Simmons · 24th October 2022, 08:19 PM

Although this appears to be a fairly recent piece it does not mean that it does not belong to a tradition.

Battara · 25th October 2022, 01:28 AM

I like the koftgari, but yes I have seen several of these on the market, new work from India.

Dmitry · 25th October 2022, 02:51 PM

I'm glad that my suspicions are shared!
The piece was represented by the seller as a veritable antique, and that he's had it in his possession for several decades, which I didn't believe. Handling it...it just didn't feel "right".
Thank you, all!

Interested Party · 26th October 2022, 02:35 AM

It looks like Rajasthan to me. The question I have wondered is are many of these old parts mixed with new, or all new with aging to some areas?

Battara · 26th October 2022, 03:45 AM

I had one of these with Urdu on it the was made in the 1960s - several decades also therefore also.

mariusgmioc · 27th October 2022, 07:28 AM

Yes, this is indeed of recent production.

Moreover, I do not consider this to be a pesh-kabz as it doesn't have any of the characteristics that define the pesh-kabz. It does neither have the long, sleek blade with a T- spine, nor the typical hilt adapted for under-hand grip.

I would call this knife a zirah-bouk as it has the typical reinforced "armour piercing" tip.

I have seen many modern versions of this type of knife but very, very few that are genuinely antique.

27th October 2022, 07:28 AM	#7
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Recent production Yes, this is indeed of recent production. Moreover, I do not consider this to be a pesh-kabz as it doesn't have any of the characteristics that define the pesh-kabz. It does neither have the long, sleek blade with a T- spine, nor the typical hilt adapted for under-hand grip. I would call this knife a zirah-bouk as it has the typical reinforced "armour piercing" tip. I have seen many modern versions of this type of knife but very, very few that are genuinely antique.

24th October 2022, 04:58 PM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	I agree with your statements. The blade looks crude, the koftgari has not seen use, and the blade profile seems somewhat unusual. I'd have passed on it as well.

24th October 2022, 08:19 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Although this appears to be a fairly recent piece it does not mean that it does not belong to a tradition.

25th October 2022, 01:28 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I like the koftgari, but yes I have seen several of these on the market, new work from India.

25th October 2022, 02:51 PM	#4
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	I'm glad that my suspicions are shared! The piece was represented by the seller as a veritable antique, and that he's had it in his possession for several decades, which I didn't believe. Handling it...it just didn't feel "right". Thank you, all!

26th October 2022, 02:35 AM	#5
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 497	It looks like Rajasthan to me. The question I have wondered is are many of these old parts mixed with new, or all new with aging to some areas?

26th October 2022, 03:45 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	I had one of these with Urdu on it the was made in the 1960s - several decades also therefore also.