ceylanese small ( presentation ?)sword

[BBking]

Hello everybody,

I wanted to show you this small sword-dagger I have.
Not really a weapon, more a small presentation sword 22 inches long
with a ''fake'' flexible blade ( anchor engraved on it ).

I have it from a long time,
I like the fine silver work and all the small semi-precious stones inserts
( maybe someone knows what kind of stone the big red-orange one is ?
It seems carnelian but it isn't )

But I never liked the fake flexible blade ( silvered copper or silver )
and was looking for change it for a real old ceylanese blade with similar dimensions ...

Butt today I saw ''the same'' small sword sold in an auction,
more stones but same work and ''fake'' blade
XXL starting price ! many thousand euros...
( seems reaaally exaggerated !)

I change my mind...maybe I will leave it like that !

[Tim Simmons]

A lot of work gone into it.

[mariusgmioc]

This is a "Kastane" sword, most likely from early 20th century. They serve ceremonial purposes, like traditional weddings and celebrations.
Yours is a very beautiful example! 🤩🤩🤩 The red stones are most likely low grade carbochon rubies, and the bigger orange one can be agate.
Lovely example! 👍

[ariel]

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]

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]

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.

[David]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

The red stones are most likely low grade carbochon rubies, and the bigger orange one can be agate.
Lovely example! 👍

My first impression is the the "red" stones are more likely amethyst.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by David

My first impression is the the "red" stones are more likely amethyst.

Most likely, but still not glass or quartz. Call it semi-precious?

[BBking]

I always found these swords described as rare (why ?) early 20th century models and set with semi-precious stones,

sometimes the word rubies is written in the description but it's exactly the same violet color ...


Sure larger kastane swords from the 19th are real weapons and I like them,

so was I surprised when I saw that these later 20th ''presentation'' models
with same semi-precious stones, not diamonds
were sold twice ( or more ) the price of large good 19th silver mounted kastane swords

[Peter Hudson]

On forum there are a few good threads worth consideration Please see Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords? or tap it into search

Peter Hudson.

[kai]

Just to state the obvious: This is a really late (maybe even post-colonial) example and, despite the effort put into the silverwork, the craftsmanship does not compare well to the old style pieces.

Regards,
Kai