Ceylon Piha-kaetta (?)

[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.

[Jim McDougall]

I'm with Rand and Rick in struggling to see the Ceylonese connection here, and the later blade which has nothing to do with Sri Lankan knives as far as I can see really adds to the distortion.
In focusing on the hilt, I agree with Rick in noticing the cant of the pommel which does correspond to the rather recurved styling of most pihaya hilts.
In that sense this would classify as a pihaya, which is described as a small ornate knife worn for decoration at the waist.

I am curious what the original blade must have looked like, as the pihaya kaetta blades were heavy and with extensive work on the back that usually followed en suite with the hilt. The upturned European style guard would not seem to lend well to that rather graceful effect.

The description of the chasework noting European style cherubs within the traditional themes along with the European style guard suggests perhaps this may have been a diplomatic item. Naturally, as Deraniyagala (1942) notes on p.110, "...ornate daggers were presented to individuals of royal esteem" . It may be that this item may have been produced by 'the Four Workshops' maintained by the kings in Kandy, influenced by the ever present Dutch and Portuguese powers, and which I understand ceased production in the early 19th century.

I would note that without the Ceylonese association specified, I would not look for that connection, but having been mentioned, these thoughts are mentioned toward possibilities for the unusual nature of the item.

All best regards,
Jim

[ariel]

I would not have guessed Ceylonese either, fail to see the importance of it and would not dream of bidding on it, but what the heck!
Bidders' frenzy took over and the seller cried all the way to the bank.
Obviously, bidders at Bonhams were much more sophisticated and knowledgeable than all of us combined. Good luck to the winner!
BTW, economists have a term: winner's curse. Somebody calculated that the true value of an auctioned piece is the mean of all individual bids. Thus, the winner always overpays. Statistically, of course.

[G. McCormack]

Peter Finer had some ceylonese made-for-export pieces in one of his catalogues from a few years ago....I don't know if they sold or if we can talk about them, but if so I could try to scan the pics.....

[Rick]

I'd believe this was Sri Lankan made to the European taste .

One can see such hilts on european swords owned by colonial officers .

[Bill M]

Rand,

As I mentioned in our private posts, I'd vote for South India.

Can anyone ID the Deities??

[Gavin Nugent]

Bill,

You don't look so scary in your avatar anymore , the mask come off or is this a new mask you put on?

Gav

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by G. McCormack

Peter Finer had some ceylonese made-for-export pieces in one of his catalogues from a few years ago....I don't know if they sold or if we can talk about them, but if so I could try to scan the pics.....

Its OK to present pictures from catalogues as long as properly cited, and it would be great to see the pictures as made for export seems exactly the right heading for this interesting dagger.
Thank you for noting this,
All the best,
Jim

[rand]

First off, want to thank everyone for there input on this mysterious subject. Ever notice if you make all the right turns you travel in a circle back to where you started? (lol) Well, maybe not....

When I first looked at this dagger I just could not place it as being from Ceylon. But now am not so sure about that because of the following reasons.

Ceylonese daggers (piha kaetta) often have a "cant" handle.

Piha Khaetta sometimes have a button on top that attaches to tang running through handle.

In Ceylonese Arms and Armor is reference to Ceylon straight double edged dagger with short cross guard.

Although Sinhalese are mainly Buddhist, Hinduism has strong influence in parts of Ceylon as demonstrated by Colombo Temple.

Portugal and Netherlands colonized in 16th century, ceded to British Empire in 1815(can you say Waterloo?)

Ceylonese sword can have short straight quillons.

Color me confused but curious still....

rand

[wilked aka Khun Deng]

Just wanted to add a note of clarification here. I think I mentioned in a post sometime ago that I'd discussed piha-kaetta with a Sri Lankan I happened to sit with on a plane and after a bit he figured out what I was talking about (putting the two names together confused him).

He told me that "piha" and "kaetta" BOTH translate as "knife" however they are two separate languages one is Tamil and the other Sinhala. Since then and as recent as last month I've confirmed this with two other Sri Lankans.

While we as collectors have used the combination term piha-kaetta to define a certain style ether term used singly or in combination could be accurately used to describe any knife from Ceylon.

Dan