Hi Bob
Looks like no takers on this so I'll venture an idea. I don't think this is any sort of a proto-kora as those as a weapon form seem to have evolved quite some time ago in the Indian sword spectrum from the early forms seen in iconography.
I would say this falls into the 'village' type of weapon/implement which was crudely fashioned recalling the kora form, and the 'decoration' follows some sort of folk perspective as far as possible intent.
The scalloped dentation at the tip is curious, almost as if to be used in some sort of scraping. Perhaps this was something used in the manner of kora in sacrificial or butchering situation? With these kinds of items it is pretty much anybodys guess as they are essentially 'one off' and not in a necessary category.
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