Makara

JamesKelly · 27th September 2013, 01:28 AM

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).

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 27th September 2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesKelly

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).

Salaams JamesKelly ~ I dont think they are Makara but I do suspect they are Nagas.... equally impressive!

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

JamesKelly · 28th September 2013, 07:39 PM

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.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 28th September 2013, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesKelly

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.

Salaams JamesKelly Haha! I like your references... As you probably know Makara spew (nicely) Nagas all about them... Take for example the Makara displayed at Hindu Shrines invariably with Nagas at the base..Anyway here it is a Naga or a Makara proudly appearing as a dagger hilt.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Gavin Nugent · 30th September 2013, 02:34 PM

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

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st October 2013, 07:51 PM

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.

27th September 2013, 01:28 AM	#1
JamesKelly Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Michigan, U.S.A. Posts: 108	Makara 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). Attached Images

30th September 2013, 02:34 PM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	The steel 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

28th September 2013, 07:39 PM	#3
JamesKelly Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Michigan, U.S.A. Posts: 108	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.

1st October 2013, 07:51 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	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.