Karud
Karud
Mughal
Northern India - Deccan (Afghanistan / Pakistan / India)
First half of the 19th century
Steel, elephant ivory, silver, fabric, wood
Blade: 23,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 35,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 43,8cm
Collection Date: 2022
Collection Number: 275
Ex. Harry Wagner Collection: Columbus, Ohio, USA (2022)
Ex. Oriental Arms: Haifa, Israel (2022)
A magnificent karud knife from Northern India or the Deccan. The straight single- edged steel blade displays a clear, high contrast wootz in a tight mottled or woodgrain pattern consistently throughout. Pronounced T-shaped spine forged to a prominent and large rounded steel bolster and backstrap.
Elephant ivory scale grips, fastened by three nails riveted in place to secure the hilt. Pinned to the pommel is a steel clasp of a floral motif with nine dangling chain tassles that terminate into small steel bells, which produce an elegant chime when jingled.
The sheath of a wooden interior covered in a blue fabric lining stitched with a gold, silver, and orange seam. Attached with fine openwork sterling silver mounts (medium to high grade silver). The silver locket having a large blooming lotus on each side. The opening rim widened with fine wirework around the top. The back is mounted with a silver ring with wirework, attached to four silver chains that hang loosely, or can be placed over the chape bulb by the ring as a chain loop baldric. Both mounts are decorated entirely in intricate foliage designs in both a pierced and a stippled craftwork. The upswept chape terminates into a silver beaded finial bulb.
A very fine and impressive karud of elaborate craftsmanship with a high quality ivory hilt and silver mounts. This dagger would have been owned by a wealthy individual of a high social status in Dinia during the Mughal period.
[1] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31453
[2] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31688