Kukri production British India

Tim Simmons · 21st March 2005, 07:22 PM

Hi Spiral, this is a difficult question.I tend to feel they are on the whole not an ethnographic collectors piece in the strictist sence, but being made to supply a largely "ethnic" group there is some crossover .I myself am waiting to find one of the early kukris mentioned cheap enough to temp me.I would also snap up any used military issue Dha and Dao both of which I have not yet encountered except for the new Dao type machete.Tim

sirupate · 21st March 2005, 09:29 PM

Hello Chaps,

I thought that Ethnographic was to do with scientific study of ethnic groups and their cultures, the kukri is very much a part of the Nepalese culture, so surely it doesn't matter where it was made?

Cheers Simon

spiral · 22nd March 2005, 09:58 AM

Well Tim, ww1 & ww2 kukri certainly turn up on ebay & through dealers, but cheaply is not always the case!

Intrestingly the modern Indian fakes of the Mk.2 style, normaly dated 1917 & with inspector stamp "37" with brass handle fittings quite often seem to sell for more than the originals

I guess they are often shiney though

.

As long as an item is handmade {at least partialy} & in an ethnic style , I percieve them as ethnographic.

If made in thier ethnic area by machine for locals ,I percieve them as ethnographic.

If made in thier ethnic area by machine for export,I percieve them as commercial, semi/almost ethnographic.

If made in a non ethnic area by machine for sale to non original ethnic people,I percieve them as commercial copies, non ethnographic.

regards,
Spiral

sirupate · 22nd March 2005, 07:47 PM

I think you have got the definition right on nail Spiral

Cheers Simon

inveterate · 23rd March 2005, 09:16 PM

I agree with your definition Spiral, even if not technically correct in a puritanical sense. Rod

21st March 2005, 07:22 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Hi Spiral, this is a difficult question.I tend to feel they are on the whole not an ethnographic collectors piece in the strictist sence, but being made to supply a largely "ethnic" group there is some crossover .I myself am waiting to find one of the early kukris mentioned cheap enough to temp me.I would also snap up any used military issue Dha and Dao both of which I have not yet encountered except for the new Dao type machete.Tim

21st March 2005, 09:29 PM	#2
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Hello Chaps, I thought that Ethnographic was to do with scientific study of ethnic groups and their cultures, the kukri is very much a part of the Nepalese culture, so surely it doesn't matter where it was made? Cheers Simon

22nd March 2005, 09:58 AM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Well Tim, ww1 & ww2 kukri certainly turn up on ebay & through dealers, but cheaply is not always the case! Intrestingly the modern Indian fakes of the Mk.2 style, normaly dated 1917 & with inspector stamp "37" with brass handle fittings quite often seem to sell for more than the originals I guess they are often shiney though . As long as an item is handmade {at least partialy} & in an ethnic style , I percieve them as ethnographic. If made in thier ethnic area by machine for locals ,I percieve them as ethnographic. If made in thier ethnic area by machine for export,I percieve them as commercial, semi/almost ethnographic. If made in a non ethnic area by machine for sale to non original ethnic people,I percieve them as commercial copies, non ethnographic. regards, Spiral

22nd March 2005, 07:47 PM	#4
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	I think you have got the definition right on nail Spiral Cheers Simon

23rd March 2005, 09:16 PM	#5
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	I agree with your definition Spiral, even if not technically correct in a puritanical sense. Rod