Dating a Nice Pia Kaetta

[CharlesS]

I picked up this pia kaetta at a Civil War arms show most unexpectedly and at a bargain price. It was simply labeled "Asian dagger"....and I almost jumped out of my skin. I think this proves you can still find some great stuff in the least likely places.

I do not have many of these in my collection, but for my own reasons, primarily blade shape, I think it is an older one.

Can anyone add something regarding the age of the piece??

[Tim Simmons]

I had one very similar. I am not so sure they are that old, early 20th century. Rather like many silver foil covered Dha, picked up during ww2. Still a very attractive knife and to get a good buy is always nice.

I saw a John Wayne film set in ww2 Burma. Silver foil dhas were being given to all the soldiers as gifts.

[Lew]

I do not have many of these in my collection, but for my own reasons, primarily blade shape, I think it is an older one.

Can anyone add something regarding the age of the piece??

Charles

Well I know it's older than me for sure ;) . Very nice find. Artzi should be able to tell you how old it is.

Lew

[Bill M]

"Dating a Nice Pia Kaetta" are you planning a family? :) :) :)

Looks sharp to me! :D :D :D

[CharlesS]

I am just about certain this is not an early 20th Century piece.

[G. McCormack]

Beautiful, nice to have the scabbard. I'd say about 1850...yours looks like the last stage of evolution of these...gorgeous piece. Looks like great condition.

just my 2 cents :)

[Oriental-Arms]

It really looks as if made yesterday but I suggest mid to late 18 C. This is based on decoration style, blade shape and the quality of the chiseling and inlay. Great condition to age.

[derek]

Hi Charles,

That's a great piha, very complete. Based on the quality work it would almost have to have been made by the Pattal Hattara in Kandy (the king's royal workshops). They were not around long after the British took over. I would date it a little older, probably very early 1800's.

That's a beauty, a really good find.

-d

www.pihakaetta.com for some more info.

[CharlesS]

Great web site. Thanks for the reference, and your info regarding the pia kaetta.

[derek]

Slightly changing the topic, there is a piha currently offered at Lion's Gate with a very old hand written label that calls it a "pihiye", along with the phrase "Sinhalese hunter's knife".

That's interesting to me, because it supports Mr. Mohan Daniel's assertion (he owns the Serendib Gallery in Colombo) that simply "pihiya" (his spelling) is the correct general name for these knives. He explained that "da kaetta" is a different, sickle-shaped type of work knife. The term piha kaetta was something of an oxymoron to his Sinhalese ear. I think the term piha kaetta is officially stuck in the west and there's no hope of changing it, but it was probably a slight error on the part of Mr. Stone.

-d

[CharlesS]

....this may go into the heap of weapons 'misnomers'...and there are many.

Very interesting!