Pesh Kabz

Miguel · 13th April 2016, 07:33 PM

Hello Everyone, I thought you might like to see this what I think is a rather posh Indian Pesh Kabz. The hilt is rock crystal having a carved rams head pommel and decorated with red and green gem stones and gold wire to form the shape of flowers. The blade is decorated with gold and has a cartouche on each side with inscriptions. the flange on the back of the blade is also decorated in gold.
The scabbard is of wood covered with velvet and with gold chape and locket engraved with foliage and animals.
The overall length is 13 ins with a blade length of 8.25 ins x 1.5 ins wide at the shoulder. I would be grateful if anyone can translate the inscriptions in the cartouches. Thanking you in anticipation.
Regards
Miguel

mariusgmioc · 13th April 2016, 07:38 PM

Very beautiful work! Superb craftsmanship as you can even see the veins of the koftgari leaves. It is both a weapon and a work of art (and a very exquisite one)!

However, it is rather recent (would say first half of 20th century) and the "gems" appear to be glass.

But I would love to have it.

ariel · 13th April 2016, 08:17 PM

I think it may be even " newer".
Decorative "gems" are secured by a technique imitating kundun, but in fact it is not gold amalgam, but rather wire around the perimeter. The blade is mechanical damaskus, and both this as well as fully intact decorations on the blade are epidemic on modern Indian creations.

I would be delighted to be proven wrong.

kronckew · 13th April 2016, 08:33 PM

the very short tangs on these 'crystal' handles knives scares me & would seem to relegate them to 'display only'. i would not expect to see many really old ones that have not had the join fail, if not from anything other than dropping.

Bob A · 13th April 2016, 08:55 PM

A very handsome knife.

If it were made yesterday, it would be no less an Indian Pesh Kabz. It possesses the attributes that encompass the tradition, and is done with artfulness and flair.

Battara · 14th April 2016, 12:22 AM

I was thinking that it was a marriage of an old blade with a new handle of glass, which seems smaller than it should be.

I do want to hear from the others.

13th April 2016, 07:33 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Pesh Kabz Hello Everyone, I thought you might like to see this what I think is a rather posh Indian Pesh Kabz. The hilt is rock crystal having a carved rams head pommel and decorated with red and green gem stones and gold wire to form the shape of flowers. The blade is decorated with gold and has a cartouche on each side with inscriptions. the flange on the back of the blade is also decorated in gold. The scabbard is of wood covered with velvet and with gold chape and locket engraved with foliage and animals. The overall length is 13 ins with a blade length of 8.25 ins x 1.5 ins wide at the shoulder. I would be grateful if anyone can translate the inscriptions in the cartouches. Thanking you in anticipation. Regards Miguel Attached Images

13th April 2016, 07:38 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,887	Very beautiful work! Superb craftsmanship as you can even see the veins of the koftgari leaves. It is both a weapon and a work of art (and a very exquisite one)! However, it is rather recent (would say first half of 20th century) and the "gems" appear to be glass. But I would love to have it.

13th April 2016, 08:17 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I think it may be even " newer". Decorative "gems" are secured by a technique imitating kundun, but in fact it is not gold amalgam, but rather wire around the perimeter. The blade is mechanical damaskus, and both this as well as fully intact decorations on the blade are epidemic on modern Indian creations. I would be delighted to be proven wrong.

13th April 2016, 08:33 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,154	the very short tangs on these 'crystal' handles knives scares me & would seem to relegate them to 'display only'. i would not expect to see many really old ones that have not had the join fail, if not from anything other than dropping.

13th April 2016, 08:55 PM	#5
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 419	A very handsome knife. If it were made yesterday, it would be no less an Indian Pesh Kabz. It possesses the attributes that encompass the tradition, and is done with artfulness and flair.

14th April 2016, 12:22 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,143	I was thinking that it was a marriage of an old blade with a new handle of glass, which seems smaller than it should be. I do want to hear from the others.