A fine steel dagger (katar) with Qur'anic and other pious inscriptions, India, 18th Century

the gently curved tapering double-edged blade with swollen tip and medial ridge, the forte chiselled and chased with a calligraphic palmette, the hilt chiselled with further registers of calligraphy and double bar grips of baluster form

in good overall condition, minor nibbles to blade edge, areas of pitting and patination, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The inscriptions include the Basmalah, the Nada Ali quatrain, the Qur'an, sura LXI (al-Saff), part of verse 13 and the names God, Muhammad and Ali twice.

The decoration of the hilt of this katar is both striking and unusual for such a weapon. This form of bold calligraphic design is more familiar from metal vessels and architectural ornement of the Deccan in this period.  Only a small number of weapons with similar decoration have been recorded. Another Deccani katar of this date with calligraphic, but openwork, decoration bears some comparison in terms of the layout of decoration and the texts used (Paris 1988, p.80, no.128). A vambrace, again with calligraphic designs in openwork and also of a similar date is in the Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad (Welch 1985, p.317, no.213).