17th c. Tanjore Katar

ITEM # 0051
Indian Katar were originally a Hindu weapon from Southern India. They were typically constructed in two pieces consisting of a sword tip (often of European origin) riveted to a chiseled and pierced all-steel hilt.
This 17th c. example has a wide double-edged blade with shallow fullers. The hilts side-bars are narrow near the blade and widen along their length. They are pierced and chiseled in a floral motif with two oval cross-bars. The base of the hilt depicts a different scene on each side of the blade, both finely chiseled with a foliage and bird pattern. 17.75" overall. Significant wear but good condition considering age.
A similar example can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession Number: 36.25.787

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