Strange Celonese? dagger

ArmsAndAntiques · 26th February 2019, 12:44 AM

Here is one, but this is a common and distinctly French blade form.

It looks like the base of the other dagger was cut for an additional floral flourish, but kept within the contours of the original blade profile.

Athanase · 26th February 2019, 02:27 PM

Thank you for these indications.
But the modification of the blade was done in Europe or Sri Lanka?

Jim McDougall · 26th February 2019, 08:27 PM

Excellent call by Arms & Antiques in the well illustrated comparison with the French hunting sword blade with similar fluted channels. I would have been inclined toward a polearm head such as suggested by Kubur without this compelling look at the French blade.
This seems a one off creation but made in Sri Lanka in the spirit of the famed Kandy craftsmen who fashioned the beautiful piha kaetta knives.

It is of course anybodys guess how a French blade, especially this late, would arrive in this trade sphere but certainly like with many weapons they could turn up anywhere via these networks.

As noted this 'kastane' hilt component has been paired with a ground down point added to the blade, and neo baroque flourish to the blade root adds the kind of decorative style favored on the piha kaettas. Surely an interesting and attractive piece from probably turn of the century or later.

26th February 2019, 12:44 AM	#1
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Here is one, but this is a common and distinctly French blade form. It looks like the base of the other dagger was cut for an additional floral flourish, but kept within the contours of the original blade profile. Attached Images

26th February 2019, 02:27 PM	#2
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 406	Thank you for these indications. But the modification of the blade was done in Europe or Sri Lanka?

26th February 2019, 08:27 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	Excellent call by Arms & Antiques in the well illustrated comparison with the French hunting sword blade with similar fluted channels. I would have been inclined toward a polearm head such as suggested by Kubur without this compelling look at the French blade. This seems a one off creation but made in Sri Lanka in the spirit of the famed Kandy craftsmen who fashioned the beautiful piha kaetta knives. It is of course anybodys guess how a French blade, especially this late, would arrive in this trade sphere but certainly like with many weapons they could turn up anywhere via these networks. As noted this 'kastane' hilt component has been paired with a ground down point added to the blade, and neo baroque flourish to the blade root adds the kind of decorative style favored on the piha kaettas. Surely an interesting and attractive piece from probably turn of the century or later.