Piha Kaetta (not European)

Conogre · 24th May 2005, 04:49 AM

While I hate to just say "good job!", that's about all I can do, never having been lucky enough to add one to my own hodge-podge.
In truth, I'm happy to see items like this go to those who can really appreciate them, so......."Good Job!" and congratulations!
Mike

derek · 24th May 2005, 12:51 PM

Thanks, Mike.

Here is a little info about the stylus, obtained from Mr. Mohan Daniel, a Sri Lankan collector and gallery owner:

"The stylus is a 'ULKATUVA' used to train a student to write on a palm leaf. Once he is trained he is permitted to use a different type of stylus the 'PANHINDA'."

He also notes that a "student" was not necessarily a youth. In fact, this would not likely be the case as these knives were made for the Kandyan kings and worn by them or other chiefs.

tom hyle · 24th May 2005, 01:03 PM

The swept back point is unusual; more usual is a somewhat saxlike tip that angles down from the spine to the cutting edge? Consequently, the sheath's tip is also "backwards" to the usual orientation.

derek · 24th May 2005, 02:16 PM

Hi Tom,

I don't know which is more common, but this style is usually smaller than other styles (note the exception to the far left), and is the only style I have seen with a stylus. I have seen some allusion to sinhalese terms for the various shapes and styles, but I haven't quite worked that out. Here is an "assortment":

tom hyle · 25th May 2005, 02:20 AM

thanks.

Conogre · 27th May 2005, 02:27 AM

A grouping like that is truly impressive, as well as beautiful.
It must be frustrating to specialize in a type of bladed implement where there is so little known, compared to other cultures that have much more information readily available, but I imagine this also adds to the challenge somewhat.
How much have you seen the information on these expanded in the time that you've been collecting them, if I might ask?
Mike

derek · 27th May 2005, 05:31 AM

Hi Mike,

Not a lot. Jim has dug up two very good articles. I have located two books, both very old and rare (one was used by Christie's for their description of the piha in a catalogue), and some very good collections & examples. Maskell used to have one of the biggest collections I have known about. I have heard about a private collection in Europe that has not been photographed or displayed that has over 200 examples. I have 18. Rod has several very good examples. But the examples don't equate to knowledge. I started pihakaetta.com to see what I could gather and disseminate, but it's not been high priority lately. I was surprised at how few Sri Lankans I spoke to had even a basic knowledge about them. I made a lot of phone calls to dealers/gallery owners and professors, and sent a lot of emails and got a few nuggets of information for the effort. Everything I have is on the site, with the exception of one article that I think I will break down and scan in now. I've been putting it off, but it's too good not to include and share. I think I'll do it now..............
-d

24th May 2005, 04:49 AM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	While I hate to just say "good job!", that's about all I can do, never having been lucky enough to add one to my own hodge-podge. In truth, I'm happy to see items like this go to those who can really appreciate them, so......."Good Job!" and congratulations! Mike

24th May 2005, 12:51 PM	#2
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Thanks, Mike. Here is a little info about the stylus, obtained from Mr. Mohan Daniel, a Sri Lankan collector and gallery owner: "The stylus is a 'ULKATUVA' used to train a student to write on a palm leaf. Once he is trained he is permitted to use a different type of stylus the 'PANHINDA'." He also notes that a "student" was not necessarily a youth. In fact, this would not likely be the case as these knives were made for the Kandyan kings and worn by them or other chiefs.

24th May 2005, 01:03 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	The swept back point is unusual; more usual is a somewhat saxlike tip that angles down from the spine to the cutting edge? Consequently, the sheath's tip is also "backwards" to the usual orientation.

24th May 2005, 02:16 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Tom, I don't know which is more common, but this style is usually smaller than other styles (note the exception to the far left), and is the only style I have seen with a stylus. I have seen some allusion to sinhalese terms for the various shapes and styles, but I haven't quite worked that out. Here is an "assortment":

25th May 2005, 02:20 AM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	thanks.

27th May 2005, 02:27 AM	#6
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	A grouping like that is truly impressive, as well as beautiful. It must be frustrating to specialize in a type of bladed implement where there is so little known, compared to other cultures that have much more information readily available, but I imagine this also adds to the challenge somewhat. How much have you seen the information on these expanded in the time that you've been collecting them, if I might ask? Mike

27th May 2005, 05:31 AM	#7
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Mike, Not a lot. Jim has dug up two very good articles. I have located two books, both very old and rare (one was used by Christie's for their description of the piha in a catalogue), and some very good collections & examples. Maskell used to have one of the biggest collections I have known about. I have heard about a private collection in Europe that has not been photographed or displayed that has over 200 examples. I have 18. Rod has several very good examples. But the examples don't equate to knowledge. I started pihakaetta.com to see what I could gather and disseminate, but it's not been high priority lately. I was surprised at how few Sri Lankans I spoke to had even a basic knowledge about them. I made a lot of phone calls to dealers/gallery owners and professors, and sent a lot of emails and got a few nuggets of information for the effort. Everything I have is on the site, with the exception of one article that I think I will break down and scan in now. I've been putting it off, but it's too good not to include and share. I think I'll do it now.............. -d