for you ivory lovers

Joined
Mar 9, 1999
Messages
1,440
Here's a nice mid 1800s kothimora with ivory being used for the grip as well as the handles on the 2 kardas. The lion's head carving is quite nice and the blade is etched to appear to be watered.

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JP
 
Will,
The pouch is for tinder for starting fires with the chakmak and a piece of flint. I have found old bits of dried grass, goat's down and bits of cloth in various pouches.

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JP
 
:
That's Gorgeous John!!!!
biggrin.gif

Is that a piece of gold inlay at the top of the scabbard or something else?
And is the lion's head carvings something the Brit's liked or is there another explanation?


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Yvsa.

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Yvsa,
Yes, that is an inset piece of beautifully worked gold 1.5" by 1.75".

The lion is a common decorative figure in Himalayan cultures and is the protector of the monarch and the Buddhist religion. I have seen a few grips carved with the lion's head plus another karda and it was dyed green.

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JP
 
John,
WOW!! I think that is "just perfect"!
Handle on this seems longer than a lot of the older ones! OK, if it's not too personal,
what's the story behind this one, where did you find it & how did you get it??This is like when I pick up an old knife & think "If you could only talk"!I can't wait for your book,John,so think of this as a disertation on "Finding & Obtaining an old K"!Thanks John!
jim
 
Jim,
The handle is 3.25" from the top of the bolster so I would consider this the 'right' size for this era knife.

As usual there is no true provenance for this piece which of course is maddening. There is no great story of discovering this kothimora such as finding it in a flea market, or wrapped in a blanket in the bottom of an old trunk, rather it came from an overseas dealer and I paid dearly for it.

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JP
 
John,
Thanks, for your time! Yes I bet you did pay , but the dealer gave no info??I know you had to ask him for any info!!There has to be more
about this K,yes??
jim
 
I have rarely found a dealer anywhere who can give me any more info than where they got it. Named kothimoras will sometimes have a provenance, but usually they admittedly know nothing about kukris they sell.

Most of these dealers also admit to knowing nothing about kukris and are glad to receive any feedback.

I will start researching this particular piece by comparing the engraving styles with others I have seen and finding out the type od ivory and the unique metal blade pattern.

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JP
 
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