Kukris: An Evolution in Pictures

[mrcjgscott]

2)
The next group I illustrate are mostly examples from the Nepalese Armoury at the Royal Palace of Lagan Silikana , Kathmandu. I am sure most people are aware of the 2003 deal which freed up around 14,000 kukris for sale to Western collectors. (although some estimate that as many as 25,000 kukris were included in the deal)

The bulk of these pieces varied in date from the 1860’s through until the 1940’s. The opportunity to study such a giant sample was taken up by several, most notably Dr Benjamin Judkins, who has written various excellent articles on the subject.

For the purposes of this thread I illustrate a small sample, which shows the process of the traditional handmade pieces, through to the beginnings of mechanisation. These are all military in origin, and carry various regimental markings to the spine, in some cases such pieces had a service life of several decades.

[mrcjgscott]

3. The Military Marks. 1-4.

These pieces have already been well represented by Jonathan Sedwell’s excellent article, which can be found here;

http://www.ikrhs.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1203

However, below are representative examples of each type, many of which have been copied and reproduced. In some cases the same kukris, particularly the MK2, were produced by the factories for private purchase to soldiers and sailors. Some also influenced civilian designs.

[mrcjgscott]

These pieces represent the “high end” of collecting for many. There is a great tradition within Nepal, and India of “presentation” of kukri for services rendered, and in the higher echelons, for visiting nobility, dignitaries and Royalty.

Like all kukri quality varies, some “Georgian” era silverwork being the pinnacle, but real decline does not really strike until post WW1.

Some of these pieces can also represent excellent research opportunities, and many pieces carry a presentation dedication on the front locket.

Below are a variety of styles, from Royal presentation, box kothimora, and recent examples.

[mrcjgscott]

Below are a few more, randomly selected to show the various variety of styles and forms in which the kukri which can be encountered.

I hope you have enjoyed the thread, and I hope this will encourage more people to post up their own examples, stimulate some serious discussion and debate, and further our learning.

Kind regards,

Chris

[Battara]

Thank you for posting theses. Some of these are excellent examples of different kothimora.

[mrcjgscott]

Thank you Battara,

I know you have some extremely fine pieces yourself, I hope you will share them with us here.

Kind regards,

Chris

[Ian]

Chris:

Thanks for posting all of these examples and for providing a reference for the military ones. As you say, this has been a hotly debated field for some time and the discussions can be somewhat esoteric for the non-expert.

It is nice to have your pictorial guide to the kukri for those of us who are more casual observers of that field. We have needed something like this for a while.

Ian.

[mrcjgscott]

Thank you for the kind words Ian,

I am hoping that this will encourage more collectors to "dip a toe" into this particular field, and stimulate some much needed new blood and discussion.

I have learned a lot from the forum, and it is the very least I can do to try and pay a little knowledge back into the collective bank.

Sadly I could not provide labels for all the images due to the upload method (or perhaps my lack of computer expertise!) so if there is any uncertainty, especially concerning the military examples, I must apologise.

Kind regards,

Chris