A katar for comments

Jim McDougall · 4th February 2008, 08:57 PM

So I decided to try to look it up. In my trusty companion, Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual", I found,
"...in Ayurvedic tradition copper placed in water then exposed to the sun is thought to increase power in the hand". (p.196).

It is noted that the copper colored weapons seem to come from Tanjore, and the grip is very similar to Jens' example.

While the copper color suggests Tanjore (these are of course similar in structure to steel examples from there), many of the hilt characteristics suggest Deccani forms, but I cannot find an exact match to the grip shape in either Elgood or Stone.

Battara · 4th February 2008, 11:45 PM

As to Jen's katar - looks near pristine!

And southern Indian with great and intact koftgari. Is the blade wootz?

Sikh_soldier · 5th February 2008, 01:22 AM

Hi jens, I do not know much about age, origin etc,

But from an aesthetical evaluation I love the way that the construction of this piece is curvilinear, without any straight sides at all.
It shows how much thought went into the making.

Fernando's piece is also beautiful, I like the colour and it is very similiar to Jens, or actually if it is older, Jen's is similiar to Fernando's!

Jim McDougall · 5th February 2008, 01:55 AM

I agree, these are both incredibly beautiful katars, but what intrigues me the most is the distinct grip design, as well as the curvature in the guards. It does seem that these characteristics may suggest a region in India from which they may be provenanced.

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4th February 2008, 08:57 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	So I decided to try to look it up. In my trusty companion, Elgood's "Hindu Arms and Ritual", I found, "...in Ayurvedic tradition copper placed in water then exposed to the sun is thought to increase power in the hand". (p.196). It is noted that the copper colored weapons seem to come from Tanjore, and the grip is very similar to Jens' example. While the copper color suggests Tanjore (these are of course similar in structure to steel examples from there), many of the hilt characteristics suggest Deccani forms, but I cannot find an exact match to the grip shape in either Elgood or Stone.

4th February 2008, 11:45 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	As to Jen's katar - looks near pristine! And southern Indian with great and intact koftgari. Is the blade wootz?

5th February 2008, 01:22 AM	#3
Sikh_soldier Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 87	Hi jens, I do not know much about age, origin etc, But from an aesthetical evaluation I love the way that the construction of this piece is curvilinear, without any straight sides at all. It shows how much thought went into the making. Fernando's piece is also beautiful, I like the colour and it is very similiar to Jens, or actually if it is older, Jen's is similiar to Fernando's!

5th February 2008, 01:55 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	I agree, these are both incredibly beautiful katars, but what intrigues me the most is the distinct grip design, as well as the curvature in the guards. It does seem that these characteristics may suggest a region in India from which they may be provenanced.