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Pretty Khukuri
- Thread starter not2sharp
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
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- 8,911
N2s, that was my first thought - that it could be welded, retempered, and restored to readiness.
I know John Powell and you go by the clean it, oil it, and leave it as it is theory that collectors go by, to hold it's value, but I hate to see a piece like that stay broken. My pieces such as the Khyber knife/sword Sarge sent get cleaned, oiled, and then lightly touched with a diamond hone to restore their sharp edge.
I know John Powell and you go by the clean it, oil it, and leave it as it is theory that collectors go by, to hold it's value, but I hate to see a piece like that stay broken. My pieces such as the Khyber knife/sword Sarge sent get cleaned, oiled, and then lightly touched with a diamond hone to restore their sharp edge.
not2sharp
Platinum Member
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- Jun 29, 1999
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- 20,855
- Joined
- Mar 9, 1999
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This isn't a "crest" per se, but an interpretation of the old English Lion and Griffin and he has added 2 'mayuras' or types of peacocks that represent powerful protection and are considered auspicious to the Nepalese. If the sunar was going to use a lion as a spiritual symbol it would be positioned differently or just as the head. The lion or "bagh" is many things including protector of the monarch and as the symbol of protection and royalty. The only true crests found on kukris are of the Royal Seal or of a standing regiment. Everything else is art.
The sunar has also added a semi precious stone or chunk of coloured glass to add value and to show off his artistic abilities. The colour red or pink represents the direction 'west', embodies 'light' and is associated with the 'mayura' as its vehicle or transport in the spirit world. Or he had it sitting around and just stuck it in there.
I'm not trying to facetious, but the sunars use objects and images just because they find them pleasing to the eye. The symbolism is always underlying, but not neccesarily the driving force. They were very fond of using half and quarter rupees not because the date meant something, but because they were once of silver and just looked good. I spent years trying to match up dates of these coins found on kothimoras and other equipment, until I was told they were just another nice, bright design element.
The interesting thing about the piece shown is that the two animals are almost only found on 'box' kothimoras. I have never seen these used on any other style kukri. The gold wash on this piece is another nice touch showing off prowess while adding to the design. The ring and buttcap may have been added seperately and are more Indian than Nepalese.
As to the replacing or switching of grips, blades and different scabbards this was done with some frequency to add value or to give a second life to an important blade. These artisans discarded nothing, especially something that was as desirable as good ivory.
The sunar has also added a semi precious stone or chunk of coloured glass to add value and to show off his artistic abilities. The colour red or pink represents the direction 'west', embodies 'light' and is associated with the 'mayura' as its vehicle or transport in the spirit world. Or he had it sitting around and just stuck it in there.
I'm not trying to facetious, but the sunars use objects and images just because they find them pleasing to the eye. The symbolism is always underlying, but not neccesarily the driving force. They were very fond of using half and quarter rupees not because the date meant something, but because they were once of silver and just looked good. I spent years trying to match up dates of these coins found on kothimoras and other equipment, until I was told they were just another nice, bright design element.
The interesting thing about the piece shown is that the two animals are almost only found on 'box' kothimoras. I have never seen these used on any other style kukri. The gold wash on this piece is another nice touch showing off prowess while adding to the design. The ring and buttcap may have been added seperately and are more Indian than Nepalese.
As to the replacing or switching of grips, blades and different scabbards this was done with some frequency to add value or to give a second life to an important blade. These artisans discarded nothing, especially something that was as desirable as good ivory.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Beautiful stuff and thanks.