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#1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
Posts: 108
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As part of going every which way at once in this new hobby (surely not obsession . . .) of mine I got this small Indian kard recently. I am a metallurgist, and wanted a good example of wootz (a.k.a. watered) steel. This one has the Mohamed's Ladder pattern. Well, since the hilt includes a Hindu Makara I suppose the Muslim reference is inappropriate. Decided Makara makes a fine Avatar. I have Manfred Sachse's 3rd edition Damascus Steel (in English) & need to study a bit. Am so pleased to have a fine example of this steel that has been legendary for two millennia.
Anyway, this knife is about 250mm overall, with a 160mm blade. Bought this and an Indian made Arab style Jambiya from a dealer in England, with a Tulwar on the way from the same gentleman. Time to slow down, I reckon. Although I hope to have a Sudanese arm dagger from a German auction house, if I can figure out their incomprehensible (to me) system of how one pays the bill. All these will be mixed in my den with American & English pocket pistols, sporting rifles and muskets, flint & percussion. Space is a problem - I am Wall Challenged (American joke). |
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#2 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
Posts: 4,408
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Salaams JamesKelly ~ I dont think they are Makara but I do suspect they are Nagas.... equally impressive! Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. ![]() |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.
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With respect, the snout, ears, fin and all those little teeth imply to me, in my Sophomoric view, Makara.
Kind of reminds me of the Sea Serpent with whom Donald Duck (Walt Disney) had to contend in a little 1946 cartoon book of mine. Yes, I use only the most sophisticated references. |
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. ![]() |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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Hi James,
I too think it is a stylised Makara...I have one here in ivory that almost looks like a dog! I do not see any ladders in this blade. Do you have better images? Gavin |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams all . There is another school of thought on this zoomorphic style that places the animal form as an antelope. I have a picture waiting to display showing such an antelope being attacked by a tiger ... the entire display being the hilt of an Indian sword...
Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. ![]() |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 171
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Hi,
Thought this is what a makara was; an amalgamation of elephant, naga and other creatures. Or at least what it was in Patani / Malay peninsular interpretation... |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 608
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Hi James,
Nice piece. ![]() Cheers, Chris |
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams Moshah, I have to say that your picture of the Malay weapon is very interesting. I have often wondered if the Makara hilt of Sri Lanka was more influenced from the East or that it spread there from Sri Lanka .. I recall an enormous conflab on the Kastane Hilt in Makara form and whether it was a lion or the Makara. I would certainly like to use your picture as a reference on that thread please? Regarding this thread I am about to show that #1 is, in fact, an antelope style, thus, neither the Naga nor the Makara, however, it is an intriguing conversation just the same... ...and lest we forget The Makara was occasionally displayed with the head and legs of an antelope and the body and tail of a fish.. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14998 post 17 for a full description of The Makara. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 5th October 2013 at 04:48 PM. |
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#10 | |||
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 171
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As-salaam Ibrahim,
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The Angkor-based Khmer Empire relation was interesting, since Pattani Kingdom was subjugated by the Siamese on the 17th century, so does the Khmer somewhere down the line, IMHO. Need to revisit old text that I have a copy to be exactly sure though... Regards, Moshah |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,781
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This sort of thing is not an area I know much about so what I have to contribute is a little off the wall. The item could very easily be seen as a boars head hunting or hunters knife, some what rural in style but still having some table knife elegance. I think the pattern blade would not be particularly unusual depending on time and place?
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#12 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE
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Salaams Moshah and thank you for your excellent post. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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