Tibetan Kora?

Rapier's Delight · 4th November 2024, 02:45 PM

Hello all,

I recently picked up a batch of mostly South-Asian swords in rather rough shape. Among them are several tulwars, a few koras, a nimcha, and what seems to be a tibetan kora, of the type I have seen discussed on at least one post here.

As there does not seem to be a lot of info on these swords, or even a consensus on whether or not they are actually a Tibetan variant of the kora, I figured you would probably enjoy some photos from a new sword.

As you can see it generally matches the characteristics of the other ones being discussed, with a similar pommel, small lobed "quillons" and the same median ridge towards the bottom of the blade, although the one on mine seems to be less pronounced and more simple. It also has the same median ridge difiding the blade in two planes, although the one on mine is hidden by rust and oxidation. Similarly, the tip expands in typical kora fashion, but is still rather slender and thin.

Overall, I have no more info about it other than what was already discussed here, so Hopefully you have more insights, or are at least interested in seeing it!

Rapier's Delight · 4th November 2024, 06:22 PM

I just realized I didn't include the pics.

werecow · Yesterday, 01:07 AM

Damn it, I really should have gone back to Amsterdam for that one shouldn't I?

But anyway, there's some discussion of these in this thread starting at post #15. Some suggestion that it might be Indian (Sikh?) instead given the depictions.

RAMBA · Today, 11:27 AM

Not common at all. With this hilt type. I think they are archaic.

I have one like this and have seen a few come up. There are some hanging amongst other kora - the more traditional ones - on the exterior of a temple in Nepal. Bagh Bhairav Temple. I can see 2 with this hilt type in the line up.

"Evidence of his terrifying nature and his role as guardian can be found on the front (south) facade of the temple, where many dozens of terrible knives, swords, and other weaponry are nailed to the wall. There is some ambiguity regarding their origin. Dowman notes that they were captured from Gorkhali attackers during a siege of the city in the late 18th century, while Hutt mentions that Kirtipur's Newar defenders surrendered them."

Should add would like to see the few other kora you picked up.

4th November 2024, 06:22 PM	#2
Rapier's Delight Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Posts: 7	I just realized I didn't include the pics. Attached Images

Today, 11:27 AM	#4
RAMBA Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 100	Not common at all. With this hilt type. I think they are archaic. I have one like this and have seen a few come up. There are some hanging amongst other kora - the more traditional ones - on the exterior of a temple in Nepal. Bagh Bhairav Temple. I can see 2 with this hilt type in the line up. "Evidence of his terrifying nature and his role as guardian can be found on the front (south) facade of the temple, where many dozens of terrible knives, swords, and other weaponry are nailed to the wall. There is some ambiguity regarding their origin. Dowman notes that they were captured from Gorkhali attackers during a siege of the city in the late 18th century, while Hutt mentions that Kirtipur's Newar defenders surrendered them." Should add would like to see the few other kora you picked up. Attached Images Last edited by RAMBA; Today at 11:52 AM.

4th November 2024, 02:45 PM	#1
Rapier's Delight Member Join Date: Oct 2024 Posts: 7	Tibetan Kora? Hello all, I recently picked up a batch of mostly South-Asian swords in rather rough shape. Among them are several tulwars, a few koras, a nimcha, and what seems to be a tibetan kora, of the type I have seen discussed on at least one post here. As there does not seem to be a lot of info on these swords, or even a consensus on whether or not they are actually a Tibetan variant of the kora, I figured you would probably enjoy some photos from a new sword. As you can see it generally matches the characteristics of the other ones being discussed, with a similar pommel, small lobed "quillons" and the same median ridge towards the bottom of the blade, although the one on mine seems to be less pronounced and more simple. It also has the same median ridge difiding the blade in two planes, although the one on mine is hidden by rust and oxidation. Similarly, the tip expands in typical kora fashion, but is still rather slender and thin. Overall, I have no more info about it other than what was already discussed here, so Hopefully you have more insights, or are at least interested in seeing it!

Yesterday, 01:07 AM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 498	Damn it, I really should have gone back to Amsterdam for that one shouldn't I? But anyway, there's some discussion of these in this thread starting at post #15. Some suggestion that it might be Indian (Sikh?) instead given the depictions.