Lot 300: A PAIR NEPALESE SILVER-MOUNTED KOTHIMORA KHUKRIS DAGGERS,OF BRITISH RAJ PERIOD DEHRA DUN, 19TH CENTURY

A matching pair of silver-mounted Nepalese Kothimora khukris produced in Dehra Dun, India, during the British Raj period. Each weapon features a traditional forward-curving steel blade with a single edge and a kaudi notch at the base. The blades are decorated near the spine with incised foliate scrollwork containing remnants of gold-toned foil inlay. The hilts are constructed from dark polished wood with traditional flared pommels, central carved rings, and brass bolsters and pommel caps. The scabbards are covered in blue velvet and heavily embellished with elaborate white metal filigree and repoussé mounts. The decorative scheme includes a large circular sunburst or peacock motif to the centre and gold-toned crossed khukri emblems set within floral wreaths near the throat. A central shield-shaped mount on the face of each scabbard bears an interlaced GR monogram surmounted by a crown. Each scabbard retains two accessory knives, a karda and a chakmak, housed in rear pockets with matching wood hilts. The reverse of each chape features an applied diamond-shaped white metal plaque with incised text reading MADE BY / LILA RAM / DEHRA DUN. The manufacture is attributed to the maker Lila Ram, whose workshop operated in Dehra Dun, a significant centre for Gurkha regiments during the British administration of India.

L: 38cm