Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords?

Prasanna Weerakkody · 2nd September 2016, 05:59 AM

Hi Marcus,

Just a note on the Kasthana you had posted. Based on my experience this seem to be a recent replica manufactured by a local "Antique Dealer" for sale to tourists. you can find many similar items on sale locally. The bronze/ Brass blades which are often riveted to a simple cast hilt which often include the guards as one piece is usually indicate modern replicas, the motifs area also not typically Sinhala in the detail.

Prasanna

estcrh · 7th September 2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prasanna Weerakkody

Hi Marcus,

Just a note on the Kasthana you had posted. Based on my experience this seem to be a recent replica manufactured by a local "Antique Dealer" for sale to tourists. you can find many similar items on sale locally. The bronze/ Brass blades which are often riveted to a simple cast hilt which often include the guards as one piece is usually indicate modern replicas, the motifs area also not typically Sinhala in the detail.

Prasanna

The blade does not appear to be "bronze / brass" to me and would a tourist piece be made with a silver hilt?

Quote:

The Kastane is the national sword of Sri-Lanka. It is characterized by its short curved blade, usually of mediocre quality and highly decorative hilt and scabbard. Here we have a good typical example with 14 inches curved blade. The silver hilt is of great decorative values – A piece of art by itself. The monster styled quillons and the monster head pommel with all parts delicately chiseled and engraved with great care and fine details. Pink colored stone eyes. Total length 19 inches. Very good condition. Heavily patinated blade. No scabbard. A very decorative piece.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th September 2016, 02:24 PM

The weapon does look like it was made with a rather hot needle in tailoring terms... The blade is very badly fixed. Slightly difficult to tell from a photo but I agree with the assessment as tourist item.
I know I have posted these before but these mark the quality of Kastane from a Royal Workshop ...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th September 2016, 07:18 PM

An interesting conundrum appears in the shape of Sri Lankan Spears. The question as to whether Partisan Spears migrated to Sri Lanka as a shared form since the Sri Lankan Patisthania appears as an almost identical weapon to the European Partisan Spear...wings and all. That is not to say point blank that it is; since we are all aware of parallel developments in completely unlinked regions of the world. This is not just apparent in items such as dishes or utility items but weapons particularly in basic form. So is it related or not? For anyone not familiar with the weapon please see cleandungeon.com where it states Quote"

Partisan
Location: Europe
Common Construction: Wooden haft with steel head

The partisan has a central spear, but on either side of the spear are "flukes" that jut out. These flukes evolved over time into what the partisan is commonly described as; a spear with an axe head on either side. This design provides many advantages. First, it limits how far the spear can penetrate so it won't get trapped inside an object. In hunting, spears have crossbars called "lugs" for the very same reason. Second, you can use the weapon in two ways now, by thrusting it like a spear, or bringing it down on someone like an axe. Once you knock someone off their horse, it's hard to stab through their armor with your spear because the steep angle of attack deflects the spearhead. The partisan allows you to perform a chopping motion that is much more effective". Unquote.

On the possibility of some sort of design crossover I refer to the description at Henry Parkers famous presentation on weapons of that region in which he writes Quote "Although the winged spear-head of recent times seems to be copied from from weapons carried by the early Europe and invaders it is certainly of much more ancient date. On the side of the crown of a wooden statue which is supposed to be that of Duttha-Gamini,at the Nikawaewa Cave wihara, there are carved relief which evidently represent spears winged heads like those now in use, as well as others resembling the fourth and fifth types just described. I have already mentioned that these sculptures possibly date from the eleventh century A.D.''Unquote.

Are we looking at an accidental non related spear design with a similar name but purely unrelated or is it possible that either the Portuguese or Dutch form has some bearing on the Sri Lankan version.

Comments are welcome...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 23rd September 2016, 04:21 PM

Spears from the Kandyan Period:

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st October 2016, 02:25 PM

THE Veecharuval ... This weapon may have spread from Southern India moreover there it is banned in many areas since it has been used in frequent attacks and murders... It is simply a machete often with a curved hook like tip section...The use of agricultural tools as war or fighting weapons is not unusual and this is an example of such an item. For interest I show the South Indian version in the blacksmiths shop though there is, perhaps, little difference...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st October 2016, 02:44 PM

Silamban..(long bamboo staff) This is stick fighting Southern Indian Style and it is an excellent technique of all round fighting with the simple staff weapon... press into computer search and see a host of videos showing the technique.

or see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlpcHjOFXU

7th September 2016, 02:24 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The weapon does look like it was made with a rather hot needle in tailoring terms... The blade is very badly fixed. Slightly difficult to tell from a photo but I agree with the assessment as tourist item. I know I have posted these before but these mark the quality of Kastane from a Royal Workshop ... Attached Images

14th September 2016, 07:18 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	An interesting conundrum appears in the shape of Sri Lankan Spears. The question as to whether Partisan Spears migrated to Sri Lanka as a shared form since the Sri Lankan Patisthania appears as an almost identical weapon to the European Partisan Spear...wings and all. That is not to say point blank that it is; since we are all aware of parallel developments in completely unlinked regions of the world. This is not just apparent in items such as dishes or utility items but weapons particularly in basic form. So is it related or not? For anyone not familiar with the weapon please see cleandungeon.com where it states Quote" Partisan Location: Europe Common Construction: Wooden haft with steel head The partisan has a central spear, but on either side of the spear are "flukes" that jut out. These flukes evolved over time into what the partisan is commonly described as; a spear with an axe head on either side. This design provides many advantages. First, it limits how far the spear can penetrate so it won't get trapped inside an object. In hunting, spears have crossbars called "lugs" for the very same reason. Second, you can use the weapon in two ways now, by thrusting it like a spear, or bringing it down on someone like an axe. Once you knock someone off their horse, it's hard to stab through their armor with your spear because the steep angle of attack deflects the spearhead. The partisan allows you to perform a chopping motion that is much more effective". Unquote. On the possibility of some sort of design crossover I refer to the description at Henry Parkers famous presentation on weapons of that region in which he writes Quote "Although the winged spear-head of recent times seems to be copied from from weapons carried by the early Europe and invaders it is certainly of much more ancient date. On the side of the crown of a wooden statue which is supposed to be that of Duttha-Gamini,at the Nikawaewa Cave wihara, there are carved relief which evidently represent spears winged heads like those now in use, as well as others resembling the fourth and fifth types just described. I have already mentioned that these sculptures possibly date from the eleventh century A.D.''Unquote. Are we looking at an accidental non related spear design with a similar name but purely unrelated or is it possible that either the Portuguese or Dutch form has some bearing on the Sri Lankan version. Comments are welcome... Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 14th September 2016 at 07:55 PM.

23rd September 2016, 04:21 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Spears from the Kandyan Period: Attached Images

1st October 2016, 02:25 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	THE Veecharuval ... This weapon may have spread from Southern India moreover there it is banned in many areas since it has been used in frequent attacks and murders... It is simply a machete often with a curved hook like tip section...The use of agricultural tools as war or fighting weapons is not unusual and this is an example of such an item. For interest I show the South Indian version in the blacksmiths shop though there is, perhaps, little difference... Attached Images

1st October 2016, 02:44 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Silamban..(long bamboo staff) This is stick fighting Southern Indian Style and it is an excellent technique of all round fighting with the simple staff weapon... press into computer search and see a host of videos showing the technique. or see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlpcHjOFXU Attached Images

2nd September 2016, 05:59 AM	#1
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Hi Marcus, Just a note on the Kasthana you had posted. Based on my experience this seem to be a recent replica manufactured by a local "Antique Dealer" for sale to tourists. you can find many similar items on sale locally. The bronze/ Brass blades which are often riveted to a simple cast hilt which often include the guards as one piece is usually indicate modern replicas, the motifs area also not typically Sinhala in the detail. Prasanna