A lot of money for small knife?

Jim McDougall · 9th August 2007, 10:56 PM

I have always been under the impression that the 'peechekathi' (thank you for the clarification on correct spelling and pronunciation Olikara)...was in actuality a utilitarian item, but as indicated certainly served as a status symbol as well among the Coorgs.

It seems that it has been referenced that the formidable ayudhakathi of the Coorgs gained an extremely feared reputation during interaction with the British in the mid 19th century, and huge numbers of these were confiscated and dumped at sea. I cannot recall exact numbers, but it would seem this may account for the relative rarity of early examples of these. I think the reference was in the Islamic firearms book by Elgood. Jens has posted some excellent examples of these resulting in some very informative discussions.

Best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 28th August 2007, 08:37 PM

This example of these not so rare knives is pretty much the same size as the last. The sellers info seems to show that many of these, and dare I say it those knives from Ceylon are not as old as often said. Often being early 20th century.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=010

spiral · 28th August 2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This example of these not so rare knives is pretty much the same size as the last. The sellers info seems to show that many of these, and dare I say it those knives from Ceylon are not as old as often said. Often being early 20th century.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=010

Not so rare? 2 on ebay close together doesnt mean that i think Tim? sellers, dealers collectors etc. see one fetch more money than they thought they were worth & so turn theres out. It happens all the time on things i watch.

Lets see how many more turn up in next 6 months.

i doubt more than 2.

Could be early 20th century, might be much older, the sellers says the source not its age when presented.

Ive only had one, it looked just like the one you link to. Artzi bought it for 3x that, he snapped it up,

Someone just got a top deal I think £75 ! wish Id spotted it, thats a top result in my book.

In India today it would fetch many times that.

Spiral

Runjeet Singh · 28th August 2007, 10:42 PM

I quite like these daggers, and have to agree with Spiral, they are quite rare. I think the one shown by Tim in this recent auction is right.

Although the chiselling on the scabbard pommel makes me think this particular example not as early as most. Hard to say without handling it. Could even be that the scabbard is later than the knife? Am I seeing right....or is the scabbard pommel Brass and the throat piece Silver? If that is the case, then the pommel is a later addition.

A nice thing, I would have liked to have bought it.

Runjeet.

spiral · 28th August 2007, 11:12 PM

To me Runjeet the double cross work looks clearly brass but, throat & chape look siilver with gilding work?

But as you say it needs to be in the hand to truly appraise.

Spiral

28th August 2007, 08:37 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,858	More sensible money This example of these not so rare knives is pretty much the same size as the last. The sellers info seems to show that many of these, and dare I say it those knives from Ceylon are not as old as often said. Often being early 20th century. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=010

9th August 2007, 10:56 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,300	I have always been under the impression that the 'peechekathi' (thank you for the clarification on correct spelling and pronunciation Olikara)...was in actuality a utilitarian item, but as indicated certainly served as a status symbol as well among the Coorgs. It seems that it has been referenced that the formidable ayudhakathi of the Coorgs gained an extremely feared reputation during interaction with the British in the mid 19th century, and huge numbers of these were confiscated and dumped at sea. I cannot recall exact numbers, but it would seem this may account for the relative rarity of early examples of these. I think the reference was in the Islamic firearms book by Elgood. Jens has posted some excellent examples of these resulting in some very informative discussions. Best regards, Jim

28th August 2007, 10:42 PM	#4
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	I quite like these daggers, and have to agree with Spiral, they are quite rare. I think the one shown by Tim in this recent auction is right. Although the chiselling on the scabbard pommel makes me think this particular example not as early as most. Hard to say without handling it. Could even be that the scabbard is later than the knife? Am I seeing right....or is the scabbard pommel Brass and the throat piece Silver? If that is the case, then the pommel is a later addition. A nice thing, I would have liked to have bought it. Runjeet.

28th August 2007, 11:12 PM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	To me Runjeet the double cross work looks clearly brass but, throat & chape look siilver with gilding work? But as you say it needs to be in the hand to truly appraise. Spiral