Kastane for comments

Prasanna Weerakkody · 19th September 2011, 05:51 AM

I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion.

I am sorry to disappoint you Royston but this piece is definitely a replica like many that are being regularly made by the “antique shops” in the South of Sri Lanka. The brass hilt with a single piece molding for quillons and guards, the low quality blade and blade being fitted to the hilt with rivets are dead giveaways. and I would not be surprised if the blade rattles on the hilt when shaken. this is a recent mass produced item most probably from a antique dealer in Hikkaduwa or benthota towns.

The origins of the “Kastana” sword can be traced reliably to early 16th century and may even go back as far as late 14th century. The Portuguese influence in the name is a good possibility as this was the time of the wars with the Portuguese in Sri Lanka.

Royston · 19th September 2011, 01:00 PM

Prasanna

There is an old saying

"All things come to those that wait "

Well, 3 years since my original post and now I have an answer.

Thank you very much

Roy

VANDOO · 21st September 2011, 04:36 AM

ITS GOOD TO HAVE A MEMBER FROM SIRI LANKA/CEYLON AS EXPERTESE IN THE AREA HAS BEEN LACKING. WELCOME

THE DESIGN HAS BEEN BORROWED BY OTHER COUNTRYS AND NO DOUBT THERE ARE SOUTHERN INDIAN VERSIONS AS WELL AS GERMAN AND DUTCH, ECT. I WILL THROW A FEW PICTURES INTO THE MIX FOR REFRENCE.
1&2 GOOD OLD EXAMPLES
3 & 4 ODD ONE EITHER EUROPEANIZED VERSION OR PERHAPS THAILAND
5 & 6. GERMAN SWORD SHOWING INFLUENCE
7 & 8 SILVER WITH GOLD AND A COMPLETE SCABBARD, LIKELY MADE DURING THE EUROPEAN RULE.

ANY COMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS MOST WELCOME.

Prasanna Weerakkody · 22nd September 2011, 04:37 PM

Thanks all
Nice collection Vandoo thanks again.
The first two with wooden hilts seem to have been put to some use compared to the last which would more likely been a ceremonial / rank weapon.

Including a few images of an interesting kasthane, this weapon was gifted by king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to a chieftain of the Mukkara clan; the Mukkara was a clan of silversmiths but the sword was gifted in honor of guarding a water supply during the war with the Dutch East India company. The sword is well crafted and contain several interesting additions. there is a leopard tooth set in place of a crest between the ears of the lion head. and a peacock motif below the Makara head on the guard is possibly a clan sign as one of the three flags gifted along with the sword is also a Peacock flag. The third interesting and unusual embellishment to the sword is that it contains a figure of a goddess at the base of the guard.

21st September 2011, 04:36 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	ITS GOOD TO HAVE A MEMBER FROM SIRI LANKA/CEYLON AS EXPERTESE IN THE AREA HAS BEEN LACKING. WELCOME THE DESIGN HAS BEEN BORROWED BY OTHER COUNTRYS AND NO DOUBT THERE ARE SOUTHERN INDIAN VERSIONS AS WELL AS GERMAN AND DUTCH, ECT. I WILL THROW A FEW PICTURES INTO THE MIX FOR REFRENCE. 1&2 GOOD OLD EXAMPLES 3 & 4 ODD ONE EITHER EUROPEANIZED VERSION OR PERHAPS THAILAND 5 & 6. GERMAN SWORD SHOWING INFLUENCE 7 & 8 SILVER WITH GOLD AND A COMPLETE SCABBARD, LIKELY MADE DURING THE EUROPEAN RULE. ANY COMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS MOST WELCOME. Attached Images

22nd September 2011, 04:37 PM	#4
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Mukkara kasthane Thanks all Nice collection Vandoo thanks again. The first two with wooden hilts seem to have been put to some use compared to the last which would more likely been a ceremonial / rank weapon. Including a few images of an interesting kasthane, this weapon was gifted by king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to a chieftain of the Mukkara clan; the Mukkara was a clan of silversmiths but the sword was gifted in honor of guarding a water supply during the war with the Dutch East India company. The sword is well crafted and contain several interesting additions. there is a leopard tooth set in place of a crest between the ears of the lion head. and a peacock motif below the Makara head on the guard is possibly a clan sign as one of the three flags gifted along with the sword is also a Peacock flag. The third interesting and unusual embellishment to the sword is that it contains a figure of a goddess at the base of the guard. Attached Images

19th September 2011, 05:51 AM	#1
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion. I am sorry to disappoint you Royston but this piece is definitely a replica like many that are being regularly made by the “antique shops” in the South of Sri Lanka. The brass hilt with a single piece molding for quillons and guards, the low quality blade and blade being fitted to the hilt with rivets are dead giveaways. and I would not be surprised if the blade rattles on the hilt when shaken. this is a recent mass produced item most probably from a antique dealer in Hikkaduwa or benthota towns. The origins of the “Kastana” sword can be traced reliably to early 16th century and may even go back as far as late 14th century. The Portuguese influence in the name is a good possibility as this was the time of the wars with the Portuguese in Sri Lanka.

19th September 2011, 01:00 PM	#2
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Prasanna There is an old saying "All things come to those that wait " Well, 3 years since my original post and now I have an answer. Thank you very much Roy