Koftgari Sword
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Decoration on blades, handles, fittings and other items was performed by specialist groups of metalworkers called sicleager . Steingass states that koftgari is a Persian word. In India the term koftgari (Kuftgari art, Koftrari work) is generally used to describe gold or silver applied to steel. In India, Persia and regions of Central Asia, one of the most common methods of arms and armor decoration was the inlay of gold or silver wire. There are three related, yet distinct, methods of inlay used in all these regions but one of its method is still used by us. They are: applying wire into a grove, applying wire into perforated holes, and applying wire onto a shallow cross-hatched roughened surface.
In Persia and India inlaying gold or silver wire into a grove is the most expensive method of decoration because it requires the greatest amount of precious metal which is done by P.WHITE HANDICRAFT and this kuftgari art is done by our experienced workers. It is also more durable because the metal fills the grove or trough.
The process begins with drawing the desired decoration onto the blade. The metal is then removed using an engraving tool, thus leaving a recessed trough in which the gold or silver will sit. The edges are left rough which will help key in the wire. The gold or silver wire may be precut to size or cut as needed. The wire is then pushed into the recess. The wire may be polished to become flush with the surface or it can be left raised to give a relief effect. The raised wire can then be engraved to further enhance the decoration.
There are three types of gold or silver application which have been called koftgari. Koftagari is done by first drawing out the pattern on the steel surface with a hard steel needle or silái. This leaves a line sufficiently deep to catch the very fine wire laid on. The wire is of pure gold….The wire is then hammered into the iron according to the pattern and lines already drawn, the whole is then heated and again hammered, and the surface is polished with a white porous stone; whereas the soft gold is required to be spread, the rubbing and hammering are repeated with greater force. The gold pure and very soft.
In the case of knives, sheild, dagger works, the surface is scratched over with chequered lines, this process is called ‘Chirey’(Scratch) and washed with hot solution called as ‘Safai’ and then dried and is heated to what the workmen called ‘Black Heat’ i.e. the greatest heat it will reach without becoming red hot. In this state leaves of gold or silver, as required are layed on, and rubbed in with a specific tool.
The other method of Koftgari is termed CROSS-HATCHED WIRE KUFTAGARI.
The gold-inlayer uses a sharp short edged knife to produce a cross-hatched pattern which roughens up the surface . One or more gold or silver wires are then hammered into place with a pointed hammer.This method is used to decorate different types of knifes,daggers,swords,shield etc.
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