Small knife for ID

Sajen · 13th March 2024, 12:58 PM

Hi Ian,

It's a piha kaetta, a simple one, from Sri Lanka IMVHO!

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 13th March 2024, 06:40 PM

Here a similar one sold by a German auction.

A. G. Maisey · 13th March 2024, 08:53 PM

Agreed.

Ian · 14th March 2024, 02:22 AM

Thank you Detlef and Alan!

I did not realize that piha kaetta came in a "simple" form. I don't think we have another example posted in the Forum. Any idea how old this one may be? How common are these knives and what were they used for? I would think they are utility knives, but would love to know more about them.

Sajen · 14th March 2024, 06:16 PM

Hi Ian,

Have seen a lot by auction houses and as well by epray over the years. And I guess like you that these are utility knives, maybe for cutting betel? I just don't know exactly.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 14th March 2024, 08:18 PM

This type of knife is not something that I have much interest in these days --- 50 years ago I did, but I've moved past the "shotgun" approach.

However, my memory tells me that these were status pieces , given as gifts to court officials, noblemen, and foreign visitors. They were produced on command in only four Kandian royal workshops. They began to appear in the 18th century.

Sajen · 14th March 2024, 11:37 PM

So far I know there are different piha knives, all for different purposes. I don't think that the two shown examples here are status knives.
In old threads I found indeed only one similar example, see pic.
Here is some more information: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8431

13th March 2024, 06:40 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Here a similar one sold by a German auction. Attached Images

14th March 2024, 11:37 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	So far I know there are different piha knives, all for different purposes. I don't think that the two shown examples here are status knives. In old threads I found indeed only one similar example, see pic. Here is some more information: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8431 Attached Images

13th March 2024, 12:58 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hi Ian, It's a piha kaetta, a simple one, from Sri Lanka IMVHO! Regards, Detlef

13th March 2024, 08:53 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Agreed.

14th March 2024, 02:22 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Thank you Detlef and Alan! I did not realize that piha kaetta came in a "simple" form. I don't think we have another example posted in the Forum. Any idea how old this one may be? How common are these knives and what were they used for? I would think they are utility knives, but would love to know more about them.

14th March 2024, 06:16 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Hi Ian, Have seen a lot by auction houses and as well by epray over the years. And I guess like you that these are utility knives, maybe for cutting betel? I just don't know exactly. Regards, Detlef

14th March 2024, 08:18 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	This type of knife is not something that I have much interest in these days --- 50 years ago I did, but I've moved past the "shotgun" approach. However, my memory tells me that these were status pieces , given as gifts to court officials, noblemen, and foreign visitors. They were produced on command in only four Kandian royal workshops. They began to appear in the 18th century.