Lot of 2 churning rod holders, ghurras - Nepal - Mid-20th century

Special offer! The price mentioned is for the lot of 2 pieces!

Beautiful lot of two old, intensively used churning rod holders, known as ghurras. Both possess a stunning patina and evident traces of long-term use. Below is more information regarding ghurras.

Length: 18 cm and 22 cm respectively
Total weight: 451 grams
Origin: Nepal
Dating: Mid-20th century
Provenance: Obtained from my own network in situ

More info about churning rod holders: For centuries, the Nepalese mountain dwellers have used the ghurra (churning rod holder) as a tool to churn milk into (clarified) butter. This ritual is based on the ancient Hindu myth, the Samudra Manthana: the churning of the primordial ocean by gods and demons. This myth not only tells the story of creation but also depicts the struggle between good and evil. Through the use of the ghurra, the act of churning is transcended into a sacred event; the ritual confirmation of the Samudra Manthana. For the Nepalese, the churning process is 'darshan', a sacred time of day to be blessed by their gods. The decorations on the ghurras refer to the gods of the Hindu pantheon and serve as connecting signs to the elusive mystery of the universe. Ghurras are therefore an expression of a transcendent reality, hidden beneath the veil of observable reality.

Ghurras feature a circular shape at the bottom representing the sun disk (chakra), a symbol of Vishnu, the protector god of the land and people of Nepal. The sun disk represents the miraculous power of the universal soul, which creates, maintains, and destroys in all spheres of the universe. On the sun disk, there is usually a vertical extension in the form of a lingam, a symbol of Shiva (the god of destruction and recreation). This part is composed of symmetrical figures with symbolic elements. No detail in the depiction is a personal invention; everything holds a ritual significance.

Information regarding the ghurras was sourced from the exhibition catalog published in 2004: Ghurras, Gods from the Himalayas - Nepalese Folk Art. Composition and editing by Annemarie De Gendt and Paul De Smedt.