Wooden Bird Sculptures / Marriage Gifts / guneko /gunta kasne

Information on Doublebird Sculptures

The doublebird sculptures presented here were marriage gifts. Marc Petit and Christian Lequindre describe them in their unique book in the following way: “A similar preciousness can be seen in a rare type of object whose intriguing shape of double spiral — figuratively interpreted as an upside-down pair of birds, swans, or ducks — can be explained both by its specific function and the circumstances in which it was used. Called gunta kasne (or guneko), in Rai country these items are a gift from the bride’s parents, to be used to bind the pieces of fabric that constitute her dowry. … Beyond their practical value, such items … are clearly conceived by the givers as an artistic symbolic testimony of love and faithfulness” (Petit & Lequindre, 2009, p. 47).

“gunta kasne”means in English “to tie up a bundle”, in German “ein Bündel schnüren”.

The quality (elaborateness) of the doublebird sculptures presented here varies considerably. While sculptures 1, 4 , 5, 8 and 9 are impressive because of their form and their very fine elaborated floral design, sculpture 3 — in contrast — is a relatively simple object.

Reference: Petit, M. and Lequindre, C. (2009). Nepal. Shamanism and Tribal Sculpture. Infolio.

Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 1

Length: 31 cm     Height: 12,5 cm     Width: 12 cm     Weight: 1190 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 1, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 2

Length: 22,5 cm     Height: 17,5 cm     Width: 11 cm     Weight: 580 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 2, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 3

Length: 19 cm     Height: 10 cm     Width: 2,5 cm     Weight: 290 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 3, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 4

Length: 27 cm     Height: 10 cm     Width: 10,5 cm     Weight: 770 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 4, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 5

Length: 33 cm    Height: 12 cm    Width: 12 cm    Weight: 1330 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 5, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 6

Length: 25,5 cm    Height: 9 cm     Width: 8 cm    Weight: 530 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 6, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 7

Length: 25,5 cm    Height: 7,5 cm    Width: 7 cm    Weight: 435 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 7, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 8

Length: 30 cm   Height: 18 cm    Width: 12.5 cm    Weight: 1730 gram

Doublebird Sculpture 8, View A

Doublebird Sculpture 8, View A

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Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 9

Length: 30 cm    Height: 18 cm    Width: 15 cm    Weight: 1390 gram

Doublebird Sculpture (guneko) 9, View A

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