Mughal Katar

Presented here is a very rare 17th century Mughal katar. The distinctive design of the handlebars refer to Mughal origin. Another example we've encountered is on display in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and is slightly bigger. As for as my knowledge goes there's a third example in a privat collection. The craftsmanship on this item is stunning. The grip comprises of a symmetric design of intersecting lotus motifs holding two swollen bars. The tapering blade has a thickness of just 3 mm and widens abruptly towards the tip where the thickness is 10 mm thus resulting in an armour-piercing point that was intended to pierce through chain mail. The ricasso section shows embossed lotus scroll work similar to that of the handle bars. Condition is good. Faint remains of kofgari gold. Some dark patches and staining to the blade. It was gently cleaned but has the potential to improve further in the hands of a professional restorer. Provenance: German art market 2021.

References

Metropolitan Museum; Accession Number: 36.25.973a, b

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24306

[William Ockelford Oldman, London, before 1935; sold to Stone]; George Cameron Stone, New York (by 1934–d. November 18, 1935; his bequest to MMA).

Exhibition

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Bright Side of the Battle: Symbol and Ceremony in Islamic Arms and Armor," January 17–September 1, 1985.