Belt: O.184-1879

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Belt
• Indian weapons
• todunga

Categories

• Weapons

Description

Belt for an ayudha katti (todunga). Formed of a copper alloy oval frame with an angled transverse bar fitted with a central faceted pointed finial, the bar and finial decorated with geometrical punched and incised ornament, lined with red leather. At either side of the oval frame is a loop to which is attached an elliptical strap of red leather, also lined with red leather, with a narrow strap inside. At the forward end of each is a hole through which a copper alloy double hook with three knops is fitted, and this in turn is fastened to a copper alloy chain with a terminal double loop on one and a hook on the other, for fastening as a belt at the front. To each of the double hooks is fitted a double cord of red and yellow braid, terminating in a large red tassel bound with silver wire inside which are two small yellow and one red tassel

Legal notes

Given by Robert Taylor, MA

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA

Dating

19th Century
Circa 1800 CE - 1879 CE

Note

This belt goes with the ayudha katti O.81–2.1879, and is a pair to O.185-1879. As far as the cataloguer knows this is the only source for the indigenous name of the Curg ayudha katti belt.

This type of sword was carried by the peoples of Curg (Coorg or Kodagu) on the Malabar Coast. Unlike almost all other swords it has no scabbard but was carried on the back by a belt through which it passed through a flattened brass ring.