this type of Nepalese swords were originally a feared weapon. In recent times, however, they have only been used to carry out ritual animal sacrifices in Nepal’s Hindu temples (goats, sheep, birds).
1: A Nepalese ‘kora’ sword with a typical, curved and forward flaring blade. With the cutting edge on the inner side of the blade’s arch. The wide, doubly flared tip of the blade is blunt. Alongside the back of the ‘kora’ runs on both sides a band of forged lines and variegated, deepened, darkened dots and circles. Some lovely detailing on the sword: in the area of the wide upper end of the blade a lotus flower is delicately engraved in a dotted line on both sides. The engraving is filled with red material. The hilt of the ‘kora’ is made of black iron and has four end horns. L: c. 70 cm
2: A ‘kora’ sword with a relatively thin back-blade. Also slightly curved and with the cutting edge on the inner side of the arch. The straight wide tip of the ‘kora’ is blunt. What is notable about this sword are the especially fine engravings — on both sides along the back, and on the back of the blade, as well as on the wide surface at the upper end of the blades. Engraved delicate dots, strokes and three lotus flower wheels on each of the two sides — filled, in part, with red. The iron hilt of this ‘kora’ sports gleaming yellow brass decorations, a concave finishing horn made of brass, as well as two black, iron end-horns. L: 78 cm.
Both Nepalese ‘kora’ swords: 19th century or earlier. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.