The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism

[David]

Originally Posted by fernando

But coming back to the topic of the thread, which is the Kasthane, the sword in the hands of the Cingala (Kandyan) warrior looks more like a calachurro

Wouldn't it be a bit long for a calachurro. I believe you recently cited a source from 1685 that put the length of those knives at 2 1/2 palms long.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by David

Wouldn't it be a bit long for a calachurro. I believe you recently cited a source from 1685 that put the length of those knives at 2 1/2 palms long.

C'mon David
Let me put up some fantasy. Artists had their freedom ... more often towards exagerating than minimizing things. Just trying to justify myself .
... And i thought the palm measure was secret data .
Speaking seriously, my approach was more to the sword not being a Kasthane ... as we are presently given to know its design

[David]

Originally Posted by fernando

C'mon David
Let me put up some fantasy. Artists had their freedom ... more often towards exagerating than minimizing things. Just trying to justify myself

Absolutely Nando, fantasize away…this is certainly a good thread for fantasy.
…and i agree, a lion-headed pommel no more makes a sword a kasthana as a wavy blade makes a dagger a keris though i wouldn't count out that this sword may have been of a form that had some influence on the development of the kasthana as we know it.