Ceylon Piha-kaetta (?)

[rand]

This dagger described as a Celonese Piha-Kaetta 17th/18th Century just sold at Bonhams auction, 4/22/09, Sale 16775, Lot 64.

http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/publi...aleSectionNo=1

Is certainly a beautiful dagger, what alludes me is a definite attribution to Ceylon. Does anyone have a reference of similar work from Ceylon? All opinions would be appreciated...

Bonhams desription:

"A Fine And Very Rare Ceylonese Piha-Kaetta Hilt
17th/18th Century
With later tapering double-edged blade of slightly hollowed diamond section, hilt comprising later slightly upcurved silver-gilt guard cast and chased with flowerheads and foliage, silver-gilt basal mount cast and chased with scrolling foliage below a border set with small cabochon rubies (one missing), and slightly curved rounded silver grip (three small panels missing) cast and chased with scrollwork and foliage involving two female Hindu deities on each side above and below a central gilt roundel of female demi-figures grasping each others wrists, swelling pommel cast and chased each side with a winged cherub's head of European influence between monster masks, and surmounted by a small gold button
17.8 cm. blade, 10 cm. hilt"


rand

[David]

Well Rand, i don't know about the Ceylon origin, but it certainly ain't no Piha Kaetta.

[rand]

David,

You may be as puzzled as I am on this dagger. If you go to the link to Banhams and and click on flash version you can enlarge image to see detail much better.

Interesting to note that Bhutan did similar silver work in 17th-18th centurys on their dagger handles and scabbards..... One thing that puzzles me is the seemingly low grade gold, it appears shiney like 14k in the middle of the handle, the gold around the gems seems a wash'gilt over silver and below the gem layer maybe a higher carot gold that seems darker and less lustre....

rand

[Gavin Nugent]

I certainly noticed it whilst viewing the catalogue, quite a striking item.
It is hard to remember every thread posted but Spiral offered up a dagger in similar style a little while back?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7884

Sri Lanka was mentioned as a posibility?

Perhaps Spiral can repost an image as they are now gone.

Certainly very nice.

Gav

PS the auction house wasn't very helpful this time around, I asked for about a dozen images that were not online and it fell on deaf ears.

[VANDOO]

IT CERTIANLY LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE DAGGER IN THE FORUM POST.
IF IT WAS PERHAPS ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WILL HAVE PLENTY OF CASH AVAILABLE FOR FURTHER COLLECTING.

[RSWORD]

A very interesting piece and quite worthy of research and discussion. While I have nothing concrete to add let me throw out some observations to add to the theoretical pot. The first thing I noticed was the interesting "cant" of the handle. When you look strictly at the outline of the handle from the gem'ed ring upwards, it reminds me of the overall shape of a keris handle. The gem'ed ring has a certain keris mendak(sp?) flavor as well. The second thing I noticed was the interlocked figures in the central panel. Reminds me, along with a few of the other decorative themes, to carved ivory handles on dha daggers and swords. I have seen that very theme, which may be a common religious theme and not peculiar to SE Asia, on those nicely carved ivory handles. Thailand is a region quite familiar with keris and dha and toss in some Western influences in the quillons and the blade and you have yourself a possible candidate. Just can't get the Ceylonese connection.

[colin henshaw]

I agree with David. I don't know much about weapons from South Asia, but this is nothing like the Piha-Kaetta knives I have seen.

Regards