Fine Kard Knife with Wootz Blade.

The word “Kard” is originally the Persian word for a knife. In the collectors vocabulary it is referred to large knife, with heavy blade, intend mainly for thrusting. Such thrusting knives were common in all the area from the Balkan in the west to Indo-China in the east, from the early 18 C. and on, and so is the use of the word “Kard”

The exemplar Kard knife exhibited here is Probably Persian, late  19 C. Qajar period. Triangular blade forged from good high contrast watered steel (wootz).  The blade forte is richly inlaid with gold decoration (Koftgari work). Steel bolsters and grip strap also decorated with gold koftgari work.  Beautifully carved bone grips in Qajar style carving.  

Blade 8 1/2 inches. Total length 12 inches. very good condition. Good age patina on the grips.  Very minor losses to the gold inlay.