13th March 2024, 12:05 PM | #1 |
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Small knife for ID
This knife came in an inexpensive auction lot labeled "Two Mexican Knives." The other knife was a larger Filipino knife from Luzon, more specifically from Laguna Province, and was probably late 19th-early 20th C. That knife was the one that interested me and this smaller one was a throw in.
However, I am stuck on what this knife is and where it came from. It does not look like anything Filipino that I have seen before, nor particularly Mexican. The blade is clearly old, heavily pitted, and much used. The recurved edge and drop point suggest a domestic tool rather than a weapon to me, somewhat similar to a hansia found in Nepal and adjacent areas. The handle is bone, the partial tang is secured by a single large pin, and there is a small metal ferrule. The bone is deeply carved with scroll work. Thoughts and suggestions welcome. . |
13th March 2024, 12:58 PM | #2 |
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Hi Ian,
It's a piha kaetta, a simple one, from Sri Lanka IMVHO! Regards, Detlef |
13th March 2024, 06:40 PM | #3 |
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Here a similar one sold by a German auction.
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13th March 2024, 08:53 PM | #4 |
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Agreed.
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14th March 2024, 02:22 AM | #5 |
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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 | #6 |
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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 | #7 |
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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. |
14th March 2024, 11:37 PM | #8 |
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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 |
15th March 2024, 02:26 AM | #9 |
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You're probably right Detlef, however, we must remember that there are different levels of status.
Or maybe forerunners of the higher quality pieces. |
15th March 2024, 05:48 AM | #10 | |
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From Wikipedia
Several points raised below are clarified in this online material. Quote:
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15th March 2024, 05:55 AM | #11 |
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One final point. The pia kaetta that I can find in online pictures all show a full tang hilt (in those where the tang can be distinguished in the pictures). This applies to the highly decorative versions and less decorative ones. My OP version has a partial tang only.
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