Cleveland Museum of Art

Katar (Stabbing Dagger)

Date

1700s

Medium

Iron handle with gold inlay; steel blade

Culture

India, Mughal

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Stabbing daggers called katar were distinctive to India and often worn by soldiers and courtiers, tucked into their belts. Covering the entire handle are tiny scenes of lions and cheetahs hunting deer and buffalo in rocky wooded settings. The ornament on the handle faces up from the perspective of a right-handed user, on all sides.

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