Indian Kukri with Gold Koftgari

spiral · 27th September 2009, 11:44 PM

A fascinating & lovely piece Battara! Thanks for sharing! Any photos of the burnt out wootz possible? it would be interesting to see.
Is the right side of the bolster missing? It seems so to my eye but I may be mistaken? If so how is the left hand attached? Was it originaly seperate left & right hand sides? Enquirning minds need to know!

A great find & fascinating piece for further study, congratulations indeed!

Looks a great historical piece.

Spiral

Battara · 28th September 2009, 03:39 AM

It is 16 inches long (40 cm). There is nothing missing and I don't know how both sides of the bolsters are connected except that they are part of the hilt and the bolster is not separately made. As far as the wootz is concerned, I am having problems showing it by camera. Some of what I can see is near the temper line.

I was advised that a red velvet scabbard with a small gilded chape and embroidery down the backside would be good. What do you suggest for a scabbard? What about the bi-knives?

spiral · 28th September 2009, 01:21 PM

Thankyou Battara, that sounds even better! It must be my eyes!

I understand you wanting a scabbard, red velvet & gilt chape sounds like it would match well with its look, I personaly probably wouldnt put small knives with it unless I came across some by chance, but if I did with a kukri of this lambendh {long handle.}style & potential age, Ive noticed that often{normaly even.} have twin very kukri shaped karda. Hard to find originals though,

Hers an example at the Pittrivers museaum in Oxfordshire.{Great & rare quill work as well on this scabbard.}

Spiral

Battara · 28th September 2009, 05:33 PM

Here is the best picture I could get of the disappearing wootz:

Battara · 28th September 2009, 05:37 PM

Spiral how old do you think my kukri is? Also thank you for the picture and advice. What I could find in velvet was this:

spiral · 29th September 2009, 11:02 AM

Ahh yes Battara thats a very coveted piece! The kardas are again the similar style although probably rhino horn into the bargain.

Its certanly a suitable scabbard in my opinion, I wonder if the embroidery is quill work on that one as well? I would think it quite possible.

If you know the german collector who owns the piece it may be interesting to see front of scabbard as well & to know more about the embroidery.

In my opinion {for what its worth.} pre. dates the Indian mutiney so I think your kukri is probably very early to mid 1800s even though the Lambendh style handle & that blade shape {often called hanshee in the west}. are spometimes even older than that. But of course others may disagree.

My knowledge of koftgari styles is almost non existant so others may be able to date using that as a method as well perhaps?

spiral

Battara · 29th September 2009, 10:36 PM

Thank you for your help.

28th September 2009, 05:33 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Here is the best picture I could get of the disappearing wootz: Attached Images

28th September 2009, 05:37 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Spiral how old do you think my kukri is? Also thank you for the picture and advice. What I could find in velvet was this: Attached Images

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27th September 2009, 11:44 PM	#1
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	A fascinating & lovely piece Battara! Thanks for sharing! Any photos of the burnt out wootz possible? it would be interesting to see. Is the right side of the bolster missing? It seems so to my eye but I may be mistaken? If so how is the left hand attached? Was it originaly seperate left & right hand sides? Enquirning minds need to know! A great find & fascinating piece for further study, congratulations indeed! Looks a great historical piece. Spiral

28th September 2009, 03:39 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	It is 16 inches long (40 cm). There is nothing missing and I don't know how both sides of the bolsters are connected except that they are part of the hilt and the bolster is not separately made. As far as the wootz is concerned, I am having problems showing it by camera. Some of what I can see is near the temper line. I was advised that a red velvet scabbard with a small gilded chape and embroidery down the backside would be good. What do you suggest for a scabbard? What about the bi-knives?

28th September 2009, 01:21 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thankyou Battara, that sounds even better! It must be my eyes! I understand you wanting a scabbard, red velvet & gilt chape sounds like it would match well with its look, I personaly probably wouldnt put small knives with it unless I came across some by chance, but if I did with a kukri of this lambendh {long handle.}style & potential age, Ive noticed that often{normaly even.} have twin very kukri shaped karda. Hard to find originals though, Hers an example at the Pittrivers museaum in Oxfordshire.{Great & rare quill work as well on this scabbard.} Spiral

29th September 2009, 11:02 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Ahh yes Battara thats a very coveted piece! The kardas are again the similar style although probably rhino horn into the bargain. Its certanly a suitable scabbard in my opinion, I wonder if the embroidery is quill work on that one as well? I would think it quite possible. If you know the german collector who owns the piece it may be interesting to see front of scabbard as well & to know more about the embroidery. In my opinion {for what its worth.} pre. dates the Indian mutiney so I think your kukri is probably very early to mid 1800s even though the Lambendh style handle & that blade shape {often called hanshee in the west}. are spometimes even older than that. But of course others may disagree. My knowledge of koftgari styles is almost non existant so others may be able to date using that as a method as well perhaps? spiral

29th September 2009, 10:36 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thank you for your help.