Object Assessment: A.0015 - Nepalese Kukri Knife Set

A.0015 is of Nepalese origin and comprises a sheath with two knives (figures 1 and 2). The sheath is constructed from wood, leather and organic fibre, and features embossed decoration. At the tip is a copper alloy section. The small knife, or ‘karda’ is constructed from wood and iron. The blade is curved with a single edge and hidden tang. The large knife, or ‘kukri’ is constructed from iron. The blade is broad with a single, very sharp edge, double fullers and a notch. Both handles have a flared shape. The kukri handle has a raised ring, copper alloy decoration and embossed patterns. 

Figure 1

A.0015 - Kukri, Karda and Sheath 

Side 1 

Figure 2 

A.0015 - Kukri, Karda and Sheath 

Side 2

The kukri has been used in Nepal since at least the 18^th Century (Gurkha Brigade, Easton 2014, part 1+2). A.0015 likely dates from the 19^th Century due to the manufacturing techniques used (Easton 2014, part 1+2). The object was originally donated to the British Museum in 1960, 9 years after Nepal opened to foreign visitors (Delphine Mercier, Personal Communication January 2020). It may have been collected in this time or the earlier colonial period. There is insufficient documentation to state its origin with certainty. The notch, or ‘cho’, is likely to be Buddhist imagery (Gurkha Brigade). Its function is not fully understood. It is fairly ubiquitous, and its longevity hints at its significance. It has been suggested that it relates to the trinity of Bramah, Vishnu and Shiva (Gurkha Brigade). It is commonly speculated that it prevents blood from running onto the hand. Personally, I find this unlikely as blood does not travel exclusively on the edge of a blade.   

The attachment of the blades is sound. There are no areas of deteriorated stitching on the sheath. The surface condition of the leather is good, although desiccated. There is no indication of mould or pest damage. The only existing damage is a split in the side, likely from repeated removal of the kukri. The brass section has corroded, leaving a light-brown patina. There is widespread corrosion of the knife blades (figures 3-6). 

Figure 3

A.0015 Kukri Corrosion Detail (Side 1)

Potential fingerprint damage is highlighted in orange.

Figure 4

A.0015 Kukri Corrosion Detail (Side 2)

Figure 4

A.0015 Karda Corrosion Detail (Side 1)

Potential fingerprint damage is highlighted in orange. 

Figure 5

A.0015 Karda Corrosion Detail (Side 2)

There is notable accumulation of corrosion products and pitting in some areas (figure 7). Some damage appears to have been caused by improper handling, leaving fingerprints (figure 8). The kukri handle is corroded between the brass decoration (figure 9). There is very little use damage. Both edges are sharp, without brittle fractures or chips. There are some areas of erosive wear, leaving small surface scratches. 

Figure 7 

A.0015 DinoXcope Image (Mag. x80)

Kukri Blade Corrosion Products (Side 1)

Figure 8

A.0015 DinoXcope Image (Mag. x80)

Kukri Blade Fingerprint Corrosion Products (Side 1)

Figure 9

A.0015 DinoXcope Image (Mag. x80) 

Kukri Handle Corrosion Products (Side 1)

Bibliography 

Easton, M. 2014 Kukri – The Gurkha Knife of Nepal – Part 1 [Accessed 9^th February 2020] 

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPSjdj82KLM

Easton, M. 2014 Kukri – The Gurkha Knife of Nepal – Part 2 [Accessed 9^th February 2020] 

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpthLnp_wM

Teague, K. 1995 Tourism, Anthropology and Museums: Representations of Nepalese Reality 

Journal of Museum Ethnography, No. 7 (May 1995) pp. 41-62 [Accessed 10^th February 2020]

Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40793564 

The Gurkha Brigade Association [Accessed 11^th March 2020] 

Available at: https://www.gurkhabde.com

The Gurkha Museum [Accessed 10^th March 2020] 

Available at: https://thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/category/collections/

R.0045, wooden staff from Zimbabwe

This object is a long wooden staff from UCL’s Ethnographic Collection. Its accession number is R.0045. It has a wooden round, ball-shaped attachment at one end (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Staff, Object R.0045

This staff is 142 cm long. It appears to be carved in wood and then polished for smoothness. It is possible to see the tool marks made by carving, at the top of the object where the ball-like shape is connected to the staff and along the length of the staff.

This staff is from Zimbabwe. It was a part of the George Henry Walker’s Collection. George Henry walker lived in Bulawayo in about 1910. The object was donated by his niece G. Penwarden after his death. According to the UCL database, this object is a “plain wooden staff”. However, this staff resembles “knobkerrie” — a weapon used in Zimbabwe.

The history of the staff, provides an understanding of its significance to several groups of people. Firstly, a staff in itself, if considered as a walking stick, falls into a category of household objects that have been a necessity for the elderly and the disabled. Secondly, this object was for personal use for its original owner. Therefore it could be significant for their descendants.

On the other hand, if this object is a knobkerrie, it has cultural and historical value for two stakeholder groups — the people from Zimbabwe, and the students and admirers of Zimbabwe’s culture and history. Moreover, as a knobkerrie, this object was used in different ways by two different communities. The differences in the use, adds another aspect to the value of this object.

The staff or knobkerrie is currently stored by hanging it on a metal rack by tying it with twill tape. Overall this object is stored in a stable condition. However, certain parts

of this object show signs of deterioration. They are indicated in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Illustration of signs of deterioration on the staff

There are water stains on the length of the staff in 4 locations (see Figure 2). There is a crack on the ball or knob shaped part of the staff (see Figure 3). It starts in the middle of the knob and continues onto the length of the staff.

Figure 3: Crack on the staff

There is an old sticker on the staff. Some discoloration of the wood is visible where the sticker has been peeled off (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Discoloration of wood where the sticker is peeled off

There is a new scratch on the staff (see Figure 5) that was not observed until the last examination. These signs of deterioration need to be monitored to prevent further damage.

Figure 5: New scratch on the staff