The Nepalese kora sword from the collection of the Lviv Historical Museum: iconography, dating and historical context

The kora sword in the Lviv Historical Museum collection is a unique and rare artefact Ukraine. However, almost did not attract attention of researchers. Thus, article analyzes historical context use koras times Gurkha wars unification Nepal under leadership Shah dynasty 1750s–1760s. cultural religious significance itself also investigated. In particular, paid to symbolism Buddhism, this place practices ideology Nepalese (as well as their neighbours) pre-modern early modern times. Often swords had images eye, lotus, or other symbols, which case (or could have) both Buddhist Hindu (tantric) connotations. from has image solar sign. broader range parallels weapon art Himalayas are drawn. detail main types iconography. Basing on comparison with existing objects museum private collections around world, author draws conclusions about typification swords. Thus it enables reveal type belongs. analysis iconography including blade, features texture metalwork etc, helps date Himalayan region its origin. question history museum, circumstances arrival requires further research. documents only confirm 1940 Jan III, where was kept deposit. there reasons assume that be associated group prominent Polish Orientalists who worked interwar period. puts forward hypothesis possible connection sword, Professor Stefan Stasiak, Indologist Sanskritologist: have been brought by S. Stasiak trip India.