A gem-set silver and gold Singhalese steel sword (kastane) and scabbard, Sri Lanka, 17th...

A gem-set silver and gold Singhalese steel sword (kastane) and scabbard, Sri Lanka, 17th century, 60cm. high

This kastāné (A Sinhalese sword with a short curved blade) is a ceremonial sword, part of the official dress of Sinhalese who served the Dutch or British administrations in Sri Lanka as Ārachchi, Muhandiram, Wāsala-Mudliyar, Gate-Mudliyar, and Maha Mudliyar. Some of these ceremonial swords date from the late seventeenth century but most are eighteenth and early nineteenth century.

These ceremonial swords have certain distinctive characteristics: the sinha head pommel is invariably set with precious stones, usually ruby eyes. The mouth contains numerous teeth and a projecting tongue. The silver hilts are elaborately worked and overlaid with gold. There are usually two quillon blocks. The blades of these swords are sometimes made of brass or a copper alloy. The scabbard is made of silver decorated with traditional motifs and sometimes gold.

This hilt is made of cast and chiselled silver with gold detailing, an octagonal grip, a knucklebow and quillons. The pommel has a typical simha or lion head with red eyes and the lions mane is made of two rows of scrolls of palā-péti form. The lion head has a protruding gilt tongue. Below the mane the grip has individual finger indentations. Below these but above the guard is a bolster. The S shaped knuckle guard has at either end the head of a mythical bird called a sérapéndiya, also known as a gurulu pakshayā. The lower quillons are decorated with a liya-pata design and the terminals end in two makara heads. The knuckle guard broadens in the middle to carry a protective abstract design on its convex side. Curved single edged local steel blade, tapering towards the point, with silver arabesques at the forte. Silver scabbard with embossed scrolling leaf design.