ceylanese small ( presentation ?)sword

ariel · 21st November 2022, 03:48 PM

Fully agree with Tim and Marius' opinions.
Sometimes we all go outside of our "historical, fighting, bloody" frame of mind and get attracted by the artistic quality. This one gets very high marks in that department.

BBking · 21st November 2022, 04:53 PM

Thank you dear members for your comments !

Here for share two other pictures of the disassembled parts of the small sword
( was slightly moving...)
and the interesting hilt and wooden scabbard structure

Kind regards

Jim McDougall · 21st November 2022, 06:36 PM

As well observed by everyone here already, this is most clearly a dress item which is of course likely for a naval officer as shown by the fouled anchor on the blade. These kinds of items were sometimes diplomatically oriented as the trade and other relations with Dutch and British were notable in Ceylon and these regions through the 19th century (of course these historically were from earlier centuries) and into 20th.

As Ariel has well noted, while we focus typically on the obviously combative qualities of weapons, often these kinds of pieces are fascinating for their artistic merits. The artisans of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) were always celebrated for the beautiful weaponry they produced that were important accoutrements for the royal figures and officials there.
The kastane itself, the sword this is based on, was a court or official dress sword rather than a combat weapon, though it was typically mounted with Dutch or British hanger blades.

21st November 2022, 04:53 PM	#2
BBking Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 66	Thank you dear members for your comments ! Here for share two other pictures of the disassembled parts of the small sword ( was slightly moving...) and the interesting hilt and wooden scabbard structure Kind regards Attached Images

21st November 2022, 03:48 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Fully agree with Tim and Marius' opinions. Sometimes we all go outside of our "historical, fighting, bloody" frame of mind and get attracted by the artistic quality. This one gets very high marks in that department.

21st November 2022, 06:36 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	As well observed by everyone here already, this is most clearly a dress item which is of course likely for a naval officer as shown by the fouled anchor on the blade. These kinds of items were sometimes diplomatically oriented as the trade and other relations with Dutch and British were notable in Ceylon and these regions through the 19th century (of course these historically were from earlier centuries) and into 20th. As Ariel has well noted, while we focus typically on the obviously combative qualities of weapons, often these kinds of pieces are fascinating for their artistic merits. The artisans of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) were always celebrated for the beautiful weaponry they produced that were important accoutrements for the royal figures and officials there. The kastane itself, the sword this is based on, was a court or official dress sword rather than a combat weapon, though it was typically mounted with Dutch or British hanger blades.