This Nepalese sword type, with single-edged, curved-back blades that flare forward, 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.
1: A ‘kora’ with an unusually wide and heavy blade. The cutting edge is on the inner side of the blade. The wide tip finishes in three blunt curves. The upper surface of the wide end has engraved in it a lotus flower expanding through an aureole of wave-lines into a ‘sun wheel’. The other side of the blade and the backside are empty. The black iron hilt is wrapped with a soft and shiny brown material and ends with an iron horn. L: c. 65 cm.
2: A Nepalese ‘kora’ sword with a smaller, longer blade (in all other aspects, like the one above). What is special about this piece are the fine engravings and inlays on the blade. Near the hilt: two dotted lines on the back of the blade, and a surface densely engraved with small spirals — framed by shiny-yellow brass. Only a similar brass frame is present on the reverse side. Shiny brass inlays can be found also on both sides near the wide upper surfaces of the ‘kora’: four lotus flowers and other signs. The customary black hilt ends in four horns. L: c. 70 cm.
Both Nepalese ‘kora’ swords: 19th century or earlier. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.