Katar (punch dagger)

Culture Rajasthani , northwest India

Date1700s

Mediumwootz (crucible steel), gold, iron

Dimensions39.5 cm × 9 (15 9/16 × 3 9/16 in.), 1 lb, 8 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.34

DescriptionFinely made wootz steel blade, rhomboid in section with concave faces, and diamond section in a reinforced point for about one quarter of the length from the tip. The blade is straight, triangular in form, and relatively short, with both edges sharpened; there is some waisting of the edges from multiple sharpenings. On both faces is a sharp raised rib down the center of the axis, and to either side of this is a broad, shallow fuller running parallel with the outer cutting edge, tapering to a rounded point. The fuller bears 3 subtle ribs radiating downwards in a chevronic pattern on each side of the central rib. The fuller has been watered to bring out the grain of the wootz; the rest of the blade is highly polished.

The hilt is of the usual "H" form, with a pair of parallel iron bars that widen to their bluntly pointed ends, transversely connected by a close-set pair of balustered bars of hexagonal section that form the grip. The hilt is russeted, and decorated with koft-gari gilding overall, in undulating interconnected foliate tendrils with delicately incised detailing. The primary motif is a triple-blossomed flower arising from a feathery stalk, and to either side of the base is a pair of large, leafy fronds. All of the gilding is on a finely hatched ground.
Label TextThe blade on this distinctively Indian weapon is an outstanding example of steel craftsmanship: the crucible steel blade has been painstakingly ground to produce the subtle ribbing and central ridge in the hollowed section.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on May 1, 1931 from W.O. Oldman (London, England). Given to the Museum on January 8, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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