Collectors...??? Kora knife on eBay

[Kismet]

just came across this there. Currently at $130 with two bids.

"Original Antique ±1800 Kora, the national sword of nepal, it has a very heavy single edged blade, much incurved and widening greatly at the end, there is a eye(buddhistic symbol) one each side of the blade, beautiful example, all steel blade and hilt, total length 74cm, NO RESERVE PRICE, thanks for looking"

Fierce-looking thing!

Good hunting.

Kis

 

[John Powell]

There are 2 koras listed right now. The first one is of Indian manufacture and not made for use , but as a symbol for a temple offering. The second listed by 'derreck' from the Netherlands is from Nepal. Good chance to compare the two different types.

 

[not2sharp]

a symbol for a temple offering

John,

How does that work? Do the knives simply get left at the altar, or are used in some kind of ceremony, and taken home as a momento? I should also ask whether the same can be said about some of the 19th century "tourist" khukuries, which are very similarly handled and engraved?

n2s

 

[Bill Martino]

I'll leave this to the experts.