Ⓦ A RARE COORG KNIFE (AYDA KATTI), LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

with broad hatchet-shaped blade formed with a sharp curved inner edge, struck on one face with a mark, the forte widening and filed with a stepped moulding along the back-edge, recessed ricasso with elaborate stepped mouldings punched with dentil, red lacquered wooden hilt of characteristic form including thick pear-shaped pommel and grip bound with gilt ribband and wire complete with early, probably original, red silk tassel

38.5 cm; 15 1/8 in blade

Part proceeds to benefit The Wallace Collection

Provenance

Lord Rolls Collection

A private UK Collection

A detached label (present when last exhibited) states that this was in the Lord Rolls Collection, sold for £3 in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1962, almost certainly at the gallery and museum of Robin Wigington. The mark on the blade is for the reign of Dodda Vira Rajendra (1780-1809), Raja of Coorg. A related example with a gold hilt, dated for 1808/10 and inscribed to Ling Rajender Wadeer, Raja of Coorg (Dodda's successor) was sold in this room 5th December 2018, lot 57. Two further examples are preserved in the Clive Collection at Powis Castle. See Archer, Rowell and Skelton 1987, pp. 55-56.