Nepalese Pra-Swords-2

[ariel]

And here is something we do not see very often: Acalantha
it was discussed here:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=68983&highlight=acalantha
Citing Rawson again( he provides no pics, unfortunately):
" In the early years of Indian suzerainty ( my question: before 1726? Before or about 1324?) the leaf-bladed sword is likely to be the type most in use...... which was inspired by the Tantric Buddhist art of Bihar of the Pala period ( my comment: 8-12th centuries)"
So, here it is, very heavily patinated, pretty crude blade.
My questions are related to both swords: the pra-Kukri and the Acalantha. How old do you think they are?

[BBJW]

When I first saw this I thought it might be a broken kora from the grip. Easily pre 1800.

bbjw

[CourseEight]

Boy, you know I saw something similar on ebay recently:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hindu-gurkha-khanda-sword-India-Nepal-Tibet-China_W0QQitemZ300151889722QQihZ020QQcategoryZ2008 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wish I had bid on it, now.

[spiral]

The blade doesnt fit the bolster. Cant recall ever seeing that from Nepal before.


Spiral

[Jim McDougall]

It is my impression that the term acalantha is applied to a sword that is used in certain Buddhist ritual or ceremony and would apply to any sword selected to be used in that capacity. Thus the term would not really apply to a certain sword form or type, would that be correct?

It is as typically noted, very difficult to estimate age of a weapon from photos, but this example has definitely got age! I would venture to guess probably 18th century, possibly into the 17th. Since the 'acalantha' are considered votive ritual instruments or offerings this example seems pretty plain compared to brass mounted dorje hilt forms also shown described by this term.

It is interesting here to note the double rondel hilt form associated with the Nepalese kora ( as discussed on the other 'pra kukri' thread') and consider its presence with items typically associated with Tibetan ritual items.It is well known that 'kora' are equally known in both Tibet and Nepal, and these, among many weapons were widely used throughout both.