Silver and Gold Kothimora Kukri

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 04:47 AM

Here are some more pictures:

BTW - anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes and the fish on either side of the "sun"?

Berkley · 23rd June 2010, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes

Garuda and naga. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/myth.../opposites.php
Lovely kothimora.

ThePepperSkull · 23rd June 2010, 05:08 AM

Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

Gavin Nugent · 27th June 2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

A little less flash exposure may help your minds eye;

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/c003_full.html

Gav

Battara · 27th June 2010, 06:58 PM

Thanks Gavin, I guess I need to cut down a little on the yellow light.

Battara · 15th June 2011, 03:53 PM

Thanks to Lew I have a new chain and disc to go with my kukri. The chain is silver flat mesh and the disc is brass. Thank you Lew.

Nathaniel · 15th June 2011, 05:44 PM

Sweet! Looks great and nice exposure on the pictue :-)

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

Garuda and naga. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/myth.../opposites.php
Lovely kothimora.

That was quick, thank you and very helpful. What about the fish?

Pepperskull reminded me of one other question, how old?

spiral · 23rd June 2010, 08:48 AM

That realy is a beuty Battara! congratulations indeed!

Is the bolster gold also or brass perhaps?

The fish in the Hindu religion represents the first of the 10 incarnations of the god Vishnu.

In the fish incarnation Vishnu saved the world from a great flood. {sound familier to Christians as well?} But then Manu, the first man, caught that little fish that then grew to giant size and revealed himself as the god. When the flood approached, Manu saved himself by tying his boat to the horn on the fish’s head. Some early accounts refer to the fish-saviour as Prajāpati (whose identity is later merged with that of Brahmā), an illustration of how the legends of the god incartations merge into other myths.

I should also add that In Buddhism {& of course Nepali Hindus also accept Buddha as a God} the "Golden Fish" or matsya were originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus & Buddhists.. a pair of fish are one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism.

spiral

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 04:16 PM

What great information, thank you folks! The bolsters are brass.

spiral · 23rd June 2010, 05:50 PM

Glad to help!

As to your other questions, I would guess the crescent is the moon & the sun is the symbol between the fishes. Both powerfull symbols in Nepal & Hinduism in general. {or everywhere I guess?} I expect some of the flowers will represent the lotus as well.

Hindu weapons always carry so much religious symbolism, but this kothi really takes that to the next stage! .

I would guess it dates from around c.1910 to c.1935

Its really is a beauty.

Some of best & made to be usable kukris turn up in kothi scabbards on occasion, compared to the average issue type pieces & I would guess yours is one of these.

Originaly the richer Chetri warriors in the 19th century would carry there war kukri in kothi scabbards for practical as well as asthetic reasons.

The way the locket & chape hold even a cut or damaged scabbard together & provide a sure & safe grip for drawing, were all plus points I think & in the case of yours {a later style} the silver strips down the side protect the scabbard from being pierced as well.

They were "special" for many reasons historically.

Spiral.

Battara · 26th June 2010, 09:44 PM

Once again I bow in your presence, thank you.

This has all the characteristics of what I want in a kothimora and a kuk in a silver hilt. A keeper in my permanent collection.

23rd June 2010, 04:47 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Here are some more pictures: BTW - anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes and the fish on either side of the "sun"? Attached Images

15th June 2011, 03:53 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thanks to Lew I have a new chain and disc to go with my kukri. The chain is silver flat mesh and the disc is brass. Thank you Lew. Attached Images

23rd June 2010, 08:48 AM	#9
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	That realy is a beuty Battara! congratulations indeed! Is the bolster gold also or brass perhaps? The fish in the Hindu religion represents the first of the 10 incarnations of the god Vishnu. In the fish incarnation Vishnu saved the world from a great flood. {sound familier to Christians as well?} But then Manu, the first man, caught that little fish that then grew to giant size and revealed himself as the god. When the flood approached, Manu saved himself by tying his boat to the horn on the fish’s head. Some early accounts refer to the fish-saviour as Prajāpati (whose identity is later merged with that of Brahmā), an illustration of how the legends of the god incartations merge into other myths. I should also add that In Buddhism {& of course Nepali Hindus also accept Buddha as a God} the "Golden Fish" or matsya were originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus & Buddhists.. a pair of fish are one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism. spiral Last edited by spiral; 23rd June 2010 at 04:13 PM. Reason: further info...

23rd June 2010, 05:50 PM	#11
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Glad to help! As to your other questions, I would guess the crescent is the moon & the sun is the symbol between the fishes. Both powerfull symbols in Nepal & Hinduism in general. {or everywhere I guess?} I expect some of the flowers will represent the lotus as well. Hindu weapons always carry so much religious symbolism, but this kothi really takes that to the next stage! . I would guess it dates from around c.1910 to c.1935 Its really is a beauty. Some of best & made to be usable kukris turn up in kothi scabbards on occasion, compared to the average issue type pieces & I would guess yours is one of these. Originaly the richer Chetri warriors in the 19th century would carry there war kukri in kothi scabbards for practical as well as asthetic reasons. The way the locket & chape hold even a cut or damaged scabbard together & provide a sure & safe grip for drawing, were all plus points I think & in the case of yours {a later style} the silver strips down the side protect the scabbard from being pierced as well. They were "special" for many reasons historically. Spiral. Last edited by Lew; 23rd June 2010 at 08:05 PM.

23rd June 2010, 05:08 AM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

27th June 2010, 06:58 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thanks Gavin, I guess I need to cut down a little on the yellow light.

15th June 2011, 05:44 PM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Sweet! Looks great and nice exposure on the pictue :-)

23rd June 2010, 04:16 PM	#10
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	What great information, thank you folks! The bolsters are brass.

26th June 2010, 09:44 PM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Once again I bow in your presence, thank you. This has all the characteristics of what I want in a kothimora and a kuk in a silver hilt. A keeper in my permanent collection.