Older ghurra, churning stick conductor with elephant, Nepal, ca 1950

Beautiful authentic used ghurra, churning rod guide. A somewhat smaller model and these were often taken into the mountains by shepherds. Beautifully carved from precious wood with an elephant on top. Good used condition and a RAZOR-SHARP price! The last photo shows the use in situ.

Length: 16.5 cm

Weight: 190 grams

Origin: Nepal.

Dating: Mid 20th century

More information about ghurras:

The last photo shows the use of a ghurra in situ. (thanks to Andrea Mordacci for the photo!)

Some more information about ghurras below:

For centuries, Nepalese mountain dwellers have used the ghurra (churning stick conductors) as a tool to churn milk into butter. This ritual is based on the age-old Hindu myth, the Samudra Manthana: the churning of the primeval ocean by gods and demons. This myth not only tells the story of creation, but also depicts the battle 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 moment of the day to be blessed by their gods.

The decorations on the ghurras refer to the gods of the Hindu pantheon and form, as it were, the connecting signs with the elusive mystery of the universe. Ghurras are thus an expression of a transcendent reality that lies hidden under the veil of observable reality.

Ghurras have a round shape at the bottom that represents the sun disk (chakra), symbol of Vishnu, the patron god of the country 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 rod in the form of a lingam, symbol of Shiva (the god of destruction and re-creation). The rod is made up of symmetrical figures with symbolic elements. No detail in the execution is a personal invention, everything has a ritual meaning.

The information regarding the ghurras was based on the exhibition catalogue published in 2004: Ghurras, gods from the Himalaya - Nepalese folk art. Compiled and edited by Annemarie De Gendt and Paul De Smedt.