Indian gold koftgari Tulwar for sale !!!!

B.I · 19th September 2006, 08:45 AM

i understand ernests concerns. i am a big fan of keeping old traditions going and koftgari is part of india's decorative legacy.
however, there are many old hilts being re-decorated - maybe not to decieve but sometimes that is what happens.
yes, an 'expert' can tell the difference but not all collectors are experts (and not all experts are experts!), and not all dealers honest. so, there is a worry about new work edging in to the antiques market.
we all know horror stories of people being caught out and i todays market, it can be an expensive lesson.
sandeep, i hope you dont take this personally. you do clearly state that yours are reproductions, which is nice to hear. but, if a chinese dealer joined in, selling his warring state bronze swords as repros, he would get the same reaction, as we all know that whatever his intentions, his products end up trying to decieve through other more unscrupulous dealers.
your hilts are of an old style, but the blades are modern damascus. again, this is good to hear as you are openly stating that you are not here to decieve. but, then you mention your brother is working on wootz?
there are many other koftgari artists in india, and you are not the only one. i do know of others that decorate onto old wootz sword blades, which they cut down and weld on a t-section to convert into an ornate dagger with an 'original' blade.
i dont suppose this is the place to discuss this, but i just wanted to explain the lack of response and the slight caution from some members.

19th September 2006, 08:45 AM	#7
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	i understand ernests concerns. i am a big fan of keeping old traditions going and koftgari is part of india's decorative legacy. however, there are many old hilts being re-decorated - maybe not to decieve but sometimes that is what happens. yes, an 'expert' can tell the difference but not all collectors are experts (and not all experts are experts!), and not all dealers honest. so, there is a worry about new work edging in to the antiques market. we all know horror stories of people being caught out and i todays market, it can be an expensive lesson. sandeep, i hope you dont take this personally. you do clearly state that yours are reproductions, which is nice to hear. but, if a chinese dealer joined in, selling his warring state bronze swords as repros, he would get the same reaction, as we all know that whatever his intentions, his products end up trying to decieve through other more unscrupulous dealers. your hilts are of an old style, but the blades are modern damascus. again, this is good to hear as you are openly stating that you are not here to decieve. but, then you mention your brother is working on wootz? there are many other koftgari artists in india, and you are not the only one. i do know of others that decorate onto old wootz sword blades, which they cut down and weld on a t-section to convert into an ornate dagger with an 'original' blade. i dont suppose this is the place to discuss this, but i just wanted to explain the lack of response and the slight caution from some members.