Silver Punjab Tabar head

A steel axe head of ‘tabarzin’ type, attributed to the Punjab region of North India and dating to the 19th century. The crescent-shaped blade is decorated on both faces with silver ‘koftgari’, arranged in a dense geometric field of small star-rosette motifs. These are contained within finely outlined borders following the curved profile of the blade. The socket and upper section are ornamented with linear chevron and herringbone patterns, creating a clear contrast with the tightly repeated star pattern on the blade. This distinction between filled geometric fields and structured border motifs is characteristic of the refined surface treatment found on North Indian arms of the period. The ‘tabarzin’, often described as a saddle axe, belongs to a wider Indo-Persian martial tradition. Although functional in origin, examples with extensive precious-metal decoration also served as markers of status and courtly identity. The use of silver inlay on a darkened steel ground reflects the broader tradition of ‘koftgari’ work associated with arms and armour production in North India, including the Punjab.