Not currently on display at the V&A

Knife

20th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The vegetable cutting knife (Newari: kuyin; Nepali: simha chulesi) is placed on the floor, the hinged blade is swung upward and maintains its position. The user squats at the rear, places the right foot on the lion's rump to steady and secure it, and cuts vegetables by pressing them forward against the blade's sharp inner edge (dhar).


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast brass and mild steel
Brief description
Vegetable cutting knife, Nepal, 20th century
Physical description
A vegetable cutting knife (Newari: kuyin; Nepali: simha chulesi) iin the form of a lion cast in brass with attached curving iron cutting blade.
Dimensions
  • Lion length: 18.5cm
  • Lion height: 12cm
  • Blade length: 22.5cm
  • Weight: 590g
Credit line
Bequeathed by Oppi Untracht
Object history
Formerly in the collection of Oppi Untracht and acquired by him while living in Nepal during the years 1963-67.
Production
Piuthan, West Nepal
Summary
The vegetable cutting knife (Newari: kuyin; Nepali: simha chulesi) is placed on the floor, the hinged blade is swung upward and maintains its position. The user squats at the rear, places the right foot on the lion's rump to steady and secure it, and cuts vegetables by pressing them forward against the blade's sharp inner edge (dhar).
Bibliographic reference
Porvoo Museum - Oppi Untracht, Marjatta Parpola, Asko Parpola (eds): Metal Marvels: South Asian Handworks, Porvoo Museum, Finland, 1993, plate 205, page 100
Collection
Accession number
IS.24-2009

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Record createdSeptember 29, 2009
Record URL
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