Curious Kastane - Thoughts?

David · 11th June 2014, 07:39 PM

Derek, i'm pretty sure you are on the right track viewing this example as a later tourist quality repro. I think that if you spend enough time looking at actual kastane in the thread Ibrahiim just linked to you will see that the level of attention to detail in the real kastanes seen there is far more intensive than the hilt details on your example. While the blades on true kastane are often not of high quality, being meant mostly for status display, the dress is usually impeccably detailed and of a very high level of craftsmanship. Ibrahiim suggested the possibility that this could be a dance kastane for belly dancing, but that seems highly unlikely to me. Pictures can be deceptive, but i just don't see that your example could possibly have the kind of balance necessary for use in belly dancing where the back edge of the sword is balances on the head, hips, etc. during the act of the dance. Those blades are also generally longer and curved as Ibrahiim has already pointed out. But as you say, it should be a very nice wall hanger.

derek · 11th June 2014, 09:07 PM

Hi David,
Agreed. Belly Dancing swords are normally curved for balancing on the head.

Keep in mind the example in the thread above is off the charts in terms of detail and quality. Artzi has offered a few that were close to that quality in the past, but you don't see them often. Most are of the more average kind.

I have owned 2 other kastanes that are much more typical (still have one) and they are plain by comparison. Still beautiful, but far less ornate. In fact, I saw this week that there is a very typical example on auction now.

I also currently have 25 piha kaetta of various sizes and quality. I started the pihakaetta.com site years ago, when I had time for that stuff

Some are so ornate and delicate that I hate to handle them. Others are more plain and "utilitarian" by comparison. The quality of the work on them also varies - some, not a lot.

Among that lot I have a few I would describe as weirdos. They just don't seem to represent the Sinhalese art form, but one of those was purchased directly from a gallery in Colombo, and the blade is definitely old. Old stuff can't talk, so we play detective, which is half the fun.

Jim, great thread, I was reading through it earlier this week.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

derek · 11th June 2014, 09:15 PM

Jim,
I noted that you reference Medieval Sinhalese Art", (A.K. Coomaraswany, 1956)
in that post. I remember getting 2 copies of that from the book shop in Sri Lanka and passed one along to a forumite. Was that you?

It's probably been a decade and I've slept (although not enough - 4 kids) since then.

David · 11th June 2014, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

I also currently have 25 pita kaetta of various sizes and quality. I started the pihakaetta.com site years ago, when I had time for that stuff

Yes Derek, i am very aware (and a bit envious) of your excellent collection of piha kaetta. If ever there was a blade i could get addicted to collecting besides the keris it would be those which is probably why i have resisted picking one up so far. I'm afraid that once i started i would not be able to stop.

derek · 12th June 2014, 03:02 AM

Wife: "How many of these is enough?"
Me:"Just one more

"

David · 12th June 2014, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

Wife: "How many of these is enough?"
Me:"Just one more

"

As your self-appointed marriage counselor please allow me to help you. Send half your collection to me. I'm not picky. Any old Piha will do…

derek · 13th June 2014, 01:53 PM

I see what you did there

11th June 2014, 07:39 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Derek, i'm pretty sure you are on the right track viewing this example as a later tourist quality repro. I think that if you spend enough time looking at actual kastane in the thread Ibrahiim just linked to you will see that the level of attention to detail in the real kastanes seen there is far more intensive than the hilt details on your example. While the blades on true kastane are often not of high quality, being meant mostly for status display, the dress is usually impeccably detailed and of a very high level of craftsmanship. Ibrahiim suggested the possibility that this could be a dance kastane for belly dancing, but that seems highly unlikely to me. Pictures can be deceptive, but i just don't see that your example could possibly have the kind of balance necessary for use in belly dancing where the back edge of the sword is balances on the head, hips, etc. during the act of the dance. Those blades are also generally longer and curved as Ibrahiim has already pointed out. But as you say, it should be a very nice wall hanger.

11th June 2014, 09:07 PM	#2
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi David, Agreed. Belly Dancing swords are normally curved for balancing on the head. Keep in mind the example in the thread above is off the charts in terms of detail and quality. Artzi has offered a few that were close to that quality in the past, but you don't see them often. Most are of the more average kind. I have owned 2 other kastanes that are much more typical (still have one) and they are plain by comparison. Still beautiful, but far less ornate. In fact, I saw this week that there is a very typical example on auction now. I also currently have 25 piha kaetta of various sizes and quality. I started the pihakaetta.com site years ago, when I had time for that stuff Some are so ornate and delicate that I hate to handle them. Others are more plain and "utilitarian" by comparison. The quality of the work on them also varies - some, not a lot. Among that lot I have a few I would describe as weirdos. They just don't seem to represent the Sinhalese art form, but one of those was purchased directly from a gallery in Colombo, and the blade is definitely old. Old stuff can't talk, so we play detective, which is half the fun. Jim, great thread, I was reading through it earlier this week. Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

11th June 2014, 09:15 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Jim, I noted that you reference Medieval Sinhalese Art", (A.K. Coomaraswany, 1956) in that post. I remember getting 2 copies of that from the book shop in Sri Lanka and passed one along to a forumite. Was that you? It's probably been a decade and I've slept (although not enough - 4 kids) since then.

12th June 2014, 03:02 AM	#5
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Wife: "How many of these is enough?" Me:"Just one more "

13th June 2014, 01:53 PM	#7
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	I see what you did there