Most interesting South Indian Katar dagger with Bugis Keris blade

An interesting katar from South India, perhaps 17th century. The thick iron hilt retaining traces of thick silver overlay, and mounted with an Indonesian Keris dagger blade, originating from the Bugis people of Sumatra.This example of cross cultural influence is perhaps made more interesting due to the theory put forward by some specialists that the Kris form used throughout Indonesia originated in Southern India during the 12th and 13th centuries. This presumably is an example of trade between the two cultures. The keris blade showing signs of a faint pamor, the hilt grips retaining small moving parts with traces of gold. As with most Buginese kris blades this example is very thick and robust with very little flex, making it most suitable for the blade of a Katar punch dagger.