Piha Kaetta

Bill M · 21st March 2005, 12:28 AM

From Timonium. Got this for my wife Anne. It is 11.5" long. 18th Century.

Robert Hales gave a good talk on these. Seems they were made in Ceylon and worn by nobles.

Anybody have any more info?

BTW Have decided to drop the "Naga Basuki" handle.

nechesh · 21st March 2005, 12:37 AM

Hey Bill. Finally come out of the closet, eh?

I should talk, right.

Anyway, i don't know a thing about these except that if i wasn't so obsessed with keris these might make a good substitute. This looks like a pretty nice one. I've scene more extravagant ones, but this piece looks fairly complete and intact with nice metal work. Nice gift for the Misses, better watch yourself from now on. I wish i could convince my wife she needs to buy me one.

Bill M · 21st March 2005, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

Hey Bill. Finally come out of the closet, eh?

I should talk, right.

Anyway, i don't know a thing about these except that if i wasn't so obsessed with keris these might make a good substitute. This looks like a pretty nice one. I've scene more extravagant ones, but this piece looks fairly complete and intact with nice metal work. Nice gift for the Misses, better watch yourself from now on. I wish i could convince my wife she needs to buy me one.

A Hebrew Serpent talking about an Indonesian Serpent!

Ferguson · 21st March 2005, 02:11 AM

I love these. Here's a link someone posted here once before.

http://www.pihakaetta.com./

Steve

CharlesS · 21st March 2005, 04:18 AM

Nice example...always nice to find complete with scabbard. The hilt embellishments on these are so fragile it's a real miracle to find a complete one. I believe the scroll at the top of the blade was probably overlaid in good silver at one time. It gives the pia kaetta yet another unique and dramatic look.

Pia kaettas were not reserved for nobles(though certainly the one Bob Hales showed were!!), but they vary enormously in quality and materials....as well as size.

Good catch!

Federico · 21st March 2005, 06:07 AM

Ya know Nechesh, I was told once, in passing that some believe that the hilt form of the Piha Kaetta was a precursor for the Javanese kris hilt form. Now this was told to me in passing, along the same lines as I am repeating it here (heard from a friend from a friend, etc...), so take it with a grain of salt, but perhaps a subconscious reason for the attraction?

21st March 2005, 12:28 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Piha Kaetta From Timonium. Got this for my wife Anne. It is 11.5" long. 18th Century. Robert Hales gave a good talk on these. Seems they were made in Ceylon and worn by nobles. Anybody have any more info? BTW Have decided to drop the "Naga Basuki" handle. Attached Images

21st March 2005, 12:37 AM	#2
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Hey Bill. Finally come out of the closet, eh? I should talk, right. Anyway, i don't know a thing about these except that if i wasn't so obsessed with keris these might make a good substitute. This looks like a pretty nice one. I've scene more extravagant ones, but this piece looks fairly complete and intact with nice metal work. Nice gift for the Misses, better watch yourself from now on. I wish i could convince my wife she needs to buy me one.

21st March 2005, 02:11 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I love these. Here's a link someone posted here once before. http://www.pihakaetta.com./ Steve

21st March 2005, 04:18 AM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Nice example...always nice to find complete with scabbard. The hilt embellishments on these are so fragile it's a real miracle to find a complete one. I believe the scroll at the top of the blade was probably overlaid in good silver at one time. It gives the pia kaetta yet another unique and dramatic look. Pia kaettas were not reserved for nobles(though certainly the one Bob Hales showed were!!), but they vary enormously in quality and materials....as well as size. Good catch!

21st March 2005, 06:07 AM	#6
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Ya know Nechesh, I was told once, in passing that some believe that the hilt form of the Piha Kaetta was a precursor for the Javanese kris hilt form. Now this was told to me in passing, along the same lines as I am repeating it here (heard from a friend from a friend, etc...), so take it with a grain of salt, but perhaps a subconscious reason for the attraction?