Ceylon Piha-kaetta (?)

rand · 29th April 2009, 02:33 PM

Anandala,

Great input.....

The quote from Deraniyagala's book is compeling evidence that this dagger is from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). \

You say the circular motif is found in Sinhalese temple painting but do not mention which religion the temple is. Is it a Hindu temple? A Buddist temple? Or is this seen in multiple religons in Sri Lanka? My guess would be its a Hindu temple because of the other figures on the daggers handle.

We seem to have come full circle on this dagger, just like the motif!!!

rand

rand · 29th April 2009, 03:09 PM

Found another book by the same author of "SOME MEDIEVAL REPRESENTATIONS OF SINHALA WRESTLERS AND GLADIATORS (1937) by P E P Deraniyagala", cept this book is titled "Sinhala Weapons and Armor". He was the director of museums in Ceylon.....

A quote from this book,"The hilt of the sword should have a pommel of lotus petals; the middle part should be decorated and possess auspicious figures as of lions,etc. A circle at the middle of a weapon is inauspicious".

This puts a most intrigueing twist as bad, ill,misfortune,unfavorable are synonems for inauspicious.

The entire book is posted at this site and is fascinating reading:
http://www.pihakaetta.com/sinhala_weapons_armor_low.pdf

rand

Anandalal N. · 29th April 2009, 03:19 PM

Hi Rand,

Temples here refers to Buddhist temples. The Hanguranketha temple and the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy are both Buddhist Temples.

Both papers by Deraniyagala are published in the Royal Asiatic Society Journals.

Best Regards.

29th April 2009, 03:09 PM	#2
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Sinhala Weapons and Armor Found another book by the same author of "SOME MEDIEVAL REPRESENTATIONS OF SINHALA WRESTLERS AND GLADIATORS (1937) by P E P Deraniyagala", cept this book is titled "Sinhala Weapons and Armor". He was the director of museums in Ceylon..... A quote from this book,"The hilt of the sword should have a pommel of lotus petals; the middle part should be decorated and possess auspicious figures as of lions,etc. A circle at the middle of a weapon is inauspicious". This puts a most intrigueing twist as bad, ill,misfortune,unfavorable are synonems for inauspicious. The entire book is posted at this site and is fascinating reading: http://www.pihakaetta.com/sinhala_weapons_armor_low.pdf rand

29th April 2009, 02:33 PM	#1
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Anandala, Great input..... The quote from Deraniyagala's book is compeling evidence that this dagger is from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). \ You say the circular motif is found in Sinhalese temple painting but do not mention which religion the temple is. Is it a Hindu temple? A Buddist temple? Or is this seen in multiple religons in Sri Lanka? My guess would be its a Hindu temple because of the other figures on the daggers handle. We seem to have come full circle on this dagger, just like the motif!!! rand

29th April 2009, 03:19 PM	#3
Anandalal N. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 84	Hi Rand, Temples here refers to Buddhist temples. The Hanguranketha temple and the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy are both Buddhist Temples. Both papers by Deraniyagala are published in the Royal Asiatic Society Journals. Best Regards.