Dagger (Katar) Model
Unknown Artist
late 18th–19th century
Medium
Steel
Dimensions
H. 7 7/8 in. (20 cm); W. 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm); Wt. 4.7 oz. (133.2 g)
Classification
Daggers
Culture
Indian
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.934
Art Historical Context
This exquisite steel model of a *katar*, a traditional Indian push dagger, dates to the late 18th or 19th century. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Armor Department (bequest of George C. Stone,1935), it measures just 7⅞ inches high and weighs a mere 4.7 ounces, suggesting it served as a finely crafted miniature—perhaps for display, study, or ceremonial purposes rather than combat. The *katar* exemplifies Indian martial artistry, with its distinctive H-shaped grip perpendicular to the blade, enabling powerful thrusting strikes gripped fist-first. Indian smiths of this era were ma...