Nepal - Working tool Antique - Ghurra – for making butter

NEPAL | Ancient Ghurra, stirring rod for churned butter, early German collection (1920/1930)

This rare Ghurra of unknown age was acquired by my grandfather in India, but it is said to originate from Nepal. It shows a fine patina and a soft gloss of fat, because it was used in butter making.

Background: In the Himalayan region, wooden butter churn handles or butter barrel supports are often called Nethi or Ghurra. For this device, one end was tied, the spindle of the churn ran through the round opening, and the churn was moved back and forth with a cord to beat butter or curd. Exactly this design with hole, cord, and a long carved body is described for Nepalese butter churn supports. Made from reddish-brown hard wood, it shows the surface and the authentic wear you would expect from a real piece. The signs of use are not defects but clear indications of age and authenticity, underscoring the unmistakably ethnological character of the piece. (The graphic illustration comes from my collection and is not for sale)

Details:

Culture: Nepal
Dating: ca. 1880–1940
Material: Fine hard wood
Length: ca. 25 cm
Weight: ca. 208 grams
Provenance:
From a private German collection in Lemgo, built in the early 1950s and kept in the family since. The original purchaser was a German engineer involved in road construction projects at the time and acquired archaeological and ethnographic objects directly from local farmers and traders.

Light signs of wear (see photos) emphasize the authentic character of this piece of about 80 years of age."