Lot of Sri Lankan Piha-Kaetta Knives | Freeman's

Lot of Sri Lankan Piha-Kaetta Knives

Lot includes:

1.) 7.5" blade. 14.75" overall with hilt and scabbard. Single edge recurve blade with clip point and double offset fullers to both sides. Fullers on left side of blade are inlaid with brass that is engraved with scale patterns. Blade also has inlaid brass floral scroll engraved to both sides, and brass inlaid spine with engraved scale pattern. Hilt appears to be made of ivory, with chiseled brass and silver fittings to pommel, ricasso, grip, and backstrap. Includes a carved wood scabbard with copper and brass fittings.

2.) 7" blade. 9.5" overall with hilt. Single edge straight point blade with 5" brass panels to both sides chiseled with scroll and Arabesque designs. Hilt appears to be tortoise shell or another mottled red-brown material and has chiseled brass or gold fittings.

According to Wright's 20th Century Impressions of Ceylon (1907) and Parker's Ancient Ceylon (1909), Piha Kaetta daggers were produced in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) starting around the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Low quality piha kaetta would typically be used for everyday tasks like farming, self defense, and navigating the wilderness. Meanwhile high quality piha kaetta were made as status symbols and self defense weapons for nobility. The finest piha kaetta were only made for nobles by the "four workshops", a caste guild of "honorable craftsmen" specializing in jewelry, painting, carving, building, and other trades.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

About fair to good. The blade construction of both items is crude as typically seen on most piha kaettas, with moderate to heavy scratches and pit marks overall. Grips show some hairline cracks, discoloration, and minor losses. Hilt fittings are somewhat loose.

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The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

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Lot of Sri Lankan Piha-Kaetta Knives

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