Very Good Wootz Kattar Dagger, India

Very good Early 19 C.  probably from North India Kattar dagger with heavy blade forged from good watered steel (Wootz) of good contrast pattern. Thickened tip too allow armor piercing. Only the center of the blade is etched to reveal the steel pattern whereas the blade edges are kept highly polished. Both the side bars and the cross bars of the handle are richly decorated with gold koftgari decoration. .

Blade 8 1/2 inches long. Total length 16 1/2  inches. Very good condition. No scabbard.