Silver and Gold Kothimora Kukri

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 05:44 AM

Greetings folks. I have a new kukri and the mounts and hilt are beautifully chased and repoussed silver. The top scabbard panel is repoussed gold. Rest of the scabbard is brown leather. Got from a formite viewer through Freebooter (thanks guys

).

Enjoy!

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 05:47 AM

Here are some more pictures:

BTW - anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes and the fish on either side of the "sun"?

Berkley · 23rd June 2010, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes

Garuda and naga. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/myth.../opposites.php
Lovely kothimora.

ThePepperSkull · 23rd June 2010, 06:08 AM

Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkley

Garuda and naga. http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/myth.../opposites.php
Lovely kothimora.

That was quick, thank you and very helpful. What about the fish?

Pepperskull reminded me of one other question, how old?

spiral · 23rd June 2010, 09:48 AM

That realy is a beuty Battara! congratulations indeed!

Is the bolster gold also or brass perhaps?

The fish in the Hindu religion represents the first of the 10 incarnations of the god Vishnu.

In the fish incarnation Vishnu saved the world from a great flood. {sound familier to Christians as well?} But then Manu, the first man, caught that little fish that then grew to giant size and revealed himself as the god. When the flood approached, Manu saved himself by tying his boat to the horn on the fish’s head. Some early accounts refer to the fish-saviour as Prajāpati (whose identity is later merged with that of Brahmā), an illustration of how the legends of the god incartations merge into other myths.

I should also add that In Buddhism {& of course Nepali Hindus also accept Buddha as a God} the "Golden Fish" or matsya were originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus & Buddhists.. a pair of fish are one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism.

spiral

Battara · 23rd June 2010, 05:16 PM

What great information, thank you folks! The bolsters are brass.

spiral · 23rd June 2010, 06:50 PM

Glad to help!

As to your other questions, I would guess the crescent is the moon & the sun is the symbol between the fishes. Both powerfull symbols in Nepal & Hinduism in general. {or everywhere I guess?} I expect some of the flowers will represent the lotus as well.

Hindu weapons always carry so much religious symbolism, but this kothi really takes that to the next stage! .

I would guess it dates from around c.1910 to c.1935

Its really is a beauty.

Some of best & made to be usable kukris turn up in kothi scabbards on occasion, compared to the average issue type pieces & I would guess yours is one of these.

Originaly the richer Chetri warriors in the 19th century would carry there war kukri in kothi scabbards for practical as well as asthetic reasons.

The way the locket & chape hold even a cut or damaged scabbard together & provide a sure & safe grip for drawing, were all plus points I think & in the case of yours {a later style} the silver strips down the side protect the scabbard from being pierced as well.

They were "special" for many reasons historically.

Spiral.

Battara · 26th June 2010, 10:44 PM

Once again I bow in your presence, thank you.

This has all the characteristics of what I want in a kothimora and a kuk in a silver hilt. A keeper in my permanent collection.

Gavin Nugent · 27th June 2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

A little less flash exposure may help your minds eye;

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/c003_full.html

Gav

Battara · 27th June 2010, 07:58 PM

Thanks Gavin, I guess I need to cut down a little on the yellow light.

Battara · 15th June 2011, 04:53 PM

Thanks to Lew I have a new chain and disc to go with my kukri. The chain is silver flat mesh and the disc is brass. Thank you Lew.

Nathaniel · 15th June 2011, 06:44 PM

Sweet! Looks great and nice exposure on the pictue :-)

Atlantia · 15th June 2011, 07:12 PM

Wow! Where are my sunglasses!

It's a BEAUTIUFUL example buddy! Congratulations.

Battara · 16th June 2011, 05:02 AM

Thanks gents!

Was hoping not to have to attempt to make a flat silver chain and a special disc (both a pain in the neck!

). Had to modify the disc a bit, but workable and not too big so as to see the moon symbol.

napoleon · 16th June 2011, 03:27 PM

ive seen a few khukris over the years but this is truly something else well done!

CharlesS · 17th June 2011, 09:58 PM

Ditto to the above! NOice Battara!

laEspadaAncha · 18th June 2011, 01:14 AM

The medallion really brings the Kothimora scabbard to life and nicely compliments the existing goldwork... without doubt, one of the most beautiful Kothimora kukri I have ever seen.

Battara · 18th June 2011, 01:37 AM

Thank you folks. VEry helpful. On the kukri forum Spiral or Berkley said that it is great that original material was used for this. Had a devil of a time trying to find flat mesh silver chain.

Yes it does bring it to life doesn't it. Again my thanks to Lew.

23rd June 2010, 05:44 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Silver and Gold Kothimora Kukri Greetings folks. I have a new kukri and the mounts and hilt are beautifully chased and repoussed silver. The top scabbard panel is repoussed gold. Rest of the scabbard is brown leather. Got from a formite viewer through Freebooter (thanks guys ). Enjoy! Attached Images

23rd June 2010, 05:47 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Here are some more pictures: BTW - anyone know the meaning of the birds clutching snakes and the fish on either side of the "sun"? Attached Images

23rd June 2010, 09:48 AM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	That realy is a beuty Battara! congratulations indeed! Is the bolster gold also or brass perhaps? The fish in the Hindu religion represents the first of the 10 incarnations of the god Vishnu. In the fish incarnation Vishnu saved the world from a great flood. {sound familier to Christians as well?} But then Manu, the first man, caught that little fish that then grew to giant size and revealed himself as the god. When the flood approached, Manu saved himself by tying his boat to the horn on the fish’s head. Some early accounts refer to the fish-saviour as Prajāpati (whose identity is later merged with that of Brahmā), an illustration of how the legends of the god incartations merge into other myths. I should also add that In Buddhism {& of course Nepali Hindus also accept Buddha as a God} the "Golden Fish" or matsya were originally symbolic of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent good fortune in general, for Hindus & Buddhists.. a pair of fish are one of the 8 auspicious symbols of Buddhism. spiral Last edited by spiral; 23rd June 2010 at 05:13 PM. Reason: further info...

23rd June 2010, 06:50 PM	#8
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Glad to help! As to your other questions, I would guess the crescent is the moon & the sun is the symbol between the fishes. Both powerfull symbols in Nepal & Hinduism in general. {or everywhere I guess?} I expect some of the flowers will represent the lotus as well. Hindu weapons always carry so much religious symbolism, but this kothi really takes that to the next stage! . I would guess it dates from around c.1910 to c.1935 Its really is a beauty. Some of best & made to be usable kukris turn up in kothi scabbards on occasion, compared to the average issue type pieces & I would guess yours is one of these. Originaly the richer Chetri warriors in the 19th century would carry there war kukri in kothi scabbards for practical as well as asthetic reasons. The way the locket & chape hold even a cut or damaged scabbard together & provide a sure & safe grip for drawing, were all plus points I think & in the case of yours {a later style} the silver strips down the side protect the scabbard from being pierced as well. They were "special" for many reasons historically. Spiral. Last edited by Lew; 23rd June 2010 at 09:05 PM.

15th June 2011, 04:53 PM	#12
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Thanks to Lew I have a new chain and disc to go with my kukri. The chain is silver flat mesh and the disc is brass. Thank you Lew. Attached Images

23rd June 2010, 06:08 AM	#4
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	Absolutely beautiful! The work on the hilt looks different than on the sheath, possibly newer. any story behind that or is my mind just playing tricks on me?

23rd June 2010, 05:16 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	What great information, thank you folks! The bolsters are brass.

26th June 2010, 10:44 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Once again I bow in your presence, thank you. This has all the characteristics of what I want in a kothimora and a kuk in a silver hilt. A keeper in my permanent collection.

27th June 2010, 07:58 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Thanks Gavin, I guess I need to cut down a little on the yellow light.

15th June 2011, 06:44 PM	#13
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Sweet! Looks great and nice exposure on the pictue :-)

15th June 2011, 07:12 PM	#14
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Wow! Where are my sunglasses! It's a BEAUTIUFUL example buddy! Congratulations.

16th June 2011, 05:02 AM	#15
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Thanks gents! Was hoping not to have to attempt to make a flat silver chain and a special disc (both a pain in the neck! ). Had to modify the disc a bit, but workable and not too big so as to see the moon symbol.

16th June 2011, 03:27 PM	#16
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	kotimora khukri ive seen a few khukris over the years but this is truly something else well done!

17th June 2011, 09:58 PM	#17
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Ditto to the above! NOice Battara!

18th June 2011, 01:14 AM	#18
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	The medallion really brings the Kothimora scabbard to life and nicely compliments the existing goldwork... without doubt, one of the most beautiful Kothimora kukri I have ever seen.

18th June 2011, 01:37 AM	#19
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Thank you folks. VEry helpful. On the kukri forum Spiral or Berkley said that it is great that original material was used for this. Had a devil of a time trying to find flat mesh silver chain. Yes it does bring it to life doesn't it. Again my thanks to Lew.