Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Pot for churring butter

Nepalese milk pot used to churring butter. Nice old item with dark patina.

Old ghurrah in the form of a stylized temple. Beautiful patina and signs of intensive use.

A light dark ghurrah with a conical solar disk which shows signs of intensive use. The shaft is formed of four decorated rods, kept together by an eternal knot. The head disk, around which the Ghurra was attached, bears lotus  yantras. 

An exceptional Ghurra, with dark black patina. The solar disk is linked to a rectangular top part with the holes to attach the ghurrah to a pole. The shaft has an unusual twisted form highly decorated. This ghurrah comes with its stand.

Highly decorative and interesting churing-rod holder. This ghurrah is a striking example of how elements of daily life have been integrated into the sculpture.  The cow, as a symbol of wealth and happiness, expresses the vital importance of milk. The cow is considered as a celestial being, the great mother /Kharma-Dhenu) of all living beings. The cow stands on a stylized Nepalese house, or pagoda tempel, with 14 pillars inside them Two balls rattle. Beautiful patina and signs of prolonged use, inclusive stand. (cf Smedt200, p. 199)

A light dark ghurrah with a conical solar disk. The front of the solar disk is strongly weatherted. The shaft is formed of four decorated rods, coiled around by a Vasuki eternal knot. The conigal circumference bears carvings "tree of life" motifs. Another beautiful object of a highly decorartive power.

According to Smedt200 (p. 408), this simple ghurra represents a ritual mirror (darpana) that reflect the divine power and knowledge. Mirrors are used daily to ensure the exact ritual position of the tika on the forehead. The solar disk is decorated on the front side with a thousand petalled lotus flower. This ghurra comes with its stand and the cord which served to turn the churring rod.

This ghurra has elegant and precise lines and a beautiful patina which makes it an extraordinary design object in every modern environment. The ghurra comes with its stand.

The solar disk shos signs of intensive and lengthy use. The linga part has parallel lines on the upper part and a stylized eternal knot in the middle part. The head part is shaped like a serpents head

Both ends of this sparrsly decorated Ghurra in light an clear wood,are cube shaped. According to Smedt2000:  "the square here symbolizes the 4 sheres of existence (Vasus), cosmic space governed by the god Vishnu. The four angular points symbolises the four classes in Vedic society: a reference to leading a dutiful life in accordance with the class or caste one belongs to."

A unique design, which could not be attributed to a specific tribe. Richly decorated.

This ghurra is shaped in the form of a pagoda temple or shrine. It is more recent than the other ghurras in the collection and has probably hardly been used. It comes with its stand.

Beautiful ghurra in a classical form. The 4 columns (serpents?)  forming the linga part are linked together by an eternal knot. The head bears engravings of 26 petalled lotus flower.

A ghurra in light brown wood has a solar disk decorated with a 42 petaled lotus flower, and a sitting figure serves as the handle.

Probably from Bahun ethnic group. This is a yoni-linga type ghurra. The lower end is decorated with 9 petalled lotus flower.

An nice example of an abstract anthropomorphic representation of the human body, despicting the god Vishnu in the context of churning of the Cosmic Ocean in order to obtain Amrita – the nectar of immortal life. Made out of a cylinder shaped disk and square based truncated pyramid decorated with four milk jugs at the top linked together by means of a beam-shaped shaft around wich an endless knot winds. The endless knot or eternal knot is a symbolic knot and one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols.

This ghurra has a yoni-linga design. The solar disk has beautifully and rich weathered engravings. The linga part consists of a vertical bundle of raising snakes.

Two cobra serpents, the symbol of Vishnu, support the solar disk. The lower has the form of a traditional house.

A simple ghurrah without engravings but ia a "classical form. The central part being an eternal knot. Nice patina and signs of long use

A nice original ghurra, with light engravings on its solar disk.

This churring-rod holder maybe from the Newar tribe. The Vasuki eternal knot bundles eight "serpent" pillars. The solar disk shows a highly weathered design and the sign of prolonged use.

Excellent antique small ghurra with great black patina, an exceptional object.