Indian Kukri with Gold Koftgari

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.

Jens Nordlunde · 30th September 2009, 04:45 PM

Battara, please excuse my late reply on your thread, but I have been busy finding additional pieces of information’s for an article, I have written on Bundi katars, to be published later this year.

Kukri’s are not my speciality, so I am glad Spiral has posted. When this said I must agree that you have a very nice one, but I would like to as you a question. The decoration on the hilt – is it chiselled and then guild?

You can see what I mean on the hilt attached. I have seen a number of these decorations, and most of them are said to be from Lahore – or that area, so if you want to further investigate it, this area would be a very good place to start.

Jens

I forgot all about the picture - sorry.

Battara · 1st October 2009, 01:15 AM

Thank you Jens that too is very helpful. No, the koftgari is on without chiseling.

Thank you all for your help and comments.

Battara · 25th May 2011, 02:04 AM

Well I did it. I finished the scabbard for this piece. I made it of velvet covered wood and the seam on the other side I hand stitched all the way down. The tip is made of gold filled brass (the closest to gilt anything I could find). Also I pierced the metal.

I want to thank all of you who helped me with the research.

Enjoy

Atlantia · 25th May 2011, 04:00 PM

Great job Jose! (as always)
IMHO it's completely in keeping with the item and very much what I would have aimed for were it mine.
What did you use for the ribbon on the scabbards velvet seam?

Best
Gene

28th September 2009, 05:37 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	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

30th September 2009, 04:45 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Battara, please excuse my late reply on your thread, but I have been busy finding additional pieces of information’s for an article, I have written on Bundi katars, to be published later this year. Kukri’s are not my speciality, so I am glad Spiral has posted. When this said I must agree that you have a very nice one, but I would like to as you a question. The decoration on the hilt – is it chiselled and then guild? You can see what I mean on the hilt attached. I have seen a number of these decorations, and most of them are said to be from Lahore – or that area, so if you want to further investigate it, this area would be a very good place to start. Jens I forgot all about the picture - sorry. Attached Images Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 30th September 2009 at 06:21 PM.

25th May 2011, 02:04 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Well I did it. I finished the scabbard for this piece. I made it of velvet covered wood and the seam on the other side I hand stitched all the way down. The tip is made of gold filled brass (the closest to gilt anything I could find). Also I pierced the metal. I want to thank all of you who helped me with the research. Enjoy Attached Images

29th September 2009, 11:02 AM	#2
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	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you for your help.

1st October 2009, 01:15 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Thank you Jens that too is very helpful. No, the koftgari is on without chiseling. Thank you all for your help and comments.

25th May 2011, 04:00 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Great job Jose! (as always) IMHO it's completely in keeping with the item and very much what I would have aimed for were it mine. What did you use for the ribbon on the scabbards velvet seam? Best Gene