Kastane for comments

[katana]

This maybe 'way off base', but the European looking head has the look of a death mask. Investigating the early history of the the Europeans entering Ceylon, I found this...

".......On 21 August 1630, the Portuguese began the march to return to Colombo but were attacked by the Kandyan army at Vellavaya. Most of the Lascarins betrayed the Portuguese – only 500 remained loyal – and joined the enemy. For the Kandyans this was an overwhelming victory: of the Portuguese expedition, only 130 men survived and surrendered. The captain General Dom Constantino de Sá y Noronha was captured and beheaded. His head was carried by Prince Mahastana (later crowned Rajasimha IIEmperor of Ceylon) and presented to the Emperor Senerat......"

Could the 'head' be a symbolic reminder of this event...I wonder I have not been able to find an image of General Dom Constantino de Sá y Noronha to help / disprove this theory.

Regards David

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by katana

This maybe 'way off base', but the European looking head has the look of a death mask. Investigating the early history of the the Europeans entering Ceylon, I found this...

".......On 21 August 1630, the Portuguese began the march to return to Colombo but were attacked by the Kandyan army at Vellavaya. Most of the Lascarins betrayed the Portuguese – only 500 remained loyal – and joined the enemy. For the Kandyans this was an overwhelming victory: of the Portuguese expedition, only 130 men survived and surrendered. The captain General Dom Constantino de Sá y Noronha was captured and beheaded. His head was carried by Prince Mahastana (later crowned Rajasimha IIEmperor of Ceylon) and presented to the Emperor Senerat......"

Could the 'head' be a symbolic reminder of this event...I wonder I have not been able to find an image of General Dom Constantino de Sá y Noronha to help / disprove this theory.

Regards David

David, I once again have to say I really like the way you think !! Its great to see this kind of deductive reasoning, regardless of whether it proves to be correct or not, and I like the idea you put it out there anyway.
The idea of the death mask has been around for a while, naturally with the English mortuary swords, said to carry the death mask of Charles I. In recent years it seems that that theory has been disproven as examples antedating the event of his execution were found, regardless, the idea remained in folklore as does the term 'mortuary sword' for the form.

In looking at this hilt I still see the 'man in the moon' face seen on so many trade blades, but it seems odd that this would be fashioned into this oddly arranged hilt.

Atlantia, I see you too have joined us in abstract thinking, which I think is the most fun in studying these weapons! Very good thought on the European blade, as we know refashioning these trade blades was quite often done. As a note relating to my man in the moon observation, the 18th century hunting hangers were a primary source for those cabalistic markings.

Its absolutely OK to grasp at straws!!! something I'm considering for my Ph.D!!! Thanks for gettin' out there with us. It often leads to 'discussion', which is as far as I know, why we're here.


Thanks guys,
Jim

[Royston]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I did not think this item would cause so much discussion.

I have owned it for a while now but know nothing of it's history as I bought it from a West Country dealer who claimed it came from a house clearance.

I can't get to grips with the " Quote " parts of the replies but to answer some of your questions:-

Katana, I'm not at home at the moment and did not bring the dimensions with me but the blade is approximately 14" long. As to it being functional, I have feeler gauges that are probably thicker !!!

As I said, I have only owned 3 of these. I have seen a few more but never one that I would have considered a practical sword. Has anyone else ?

Atlantia - Sorry but there are no markings on the blade.

Jim - So, if you do not call it a Kastane, what should it be called ?
I agree with you that it has some age but I would not like to say how much. The general appearance and "feel" of the item suggest older than 1970's as Vandoo suggests but I cannot varify this.
The comments that both yourself and Vandoo make about " Presentation " " Parade ", "Ceremonial " and " High-end Souvenir" all have a ring of truth about them.

I suppose one of the mistakes we must all try and avoid is NOT to get disappointed ( or even annoyed ) when someone suggests that one of our favourite items could possible be - dare I use the word ? A Souvenir.
I am sure that a lot of collected weapons were picked up years ago and bought home as souvenirs.

( By the way Vandoo - I really like the prefix "High-end" it sounds very diplomatic )

The hilt is solid cast brass. I had not really thought about the relative positions of the quillons so thanks for that Jim.

As to the man in the moon. I think this is the most fascinating part of the sword. It's the main reason that I bought it.
It certainly looks to me to be a copy of the blade marks in other weapons. Perhaps whoever made the blank for casting just liked the look of it ?

Again, thanks to everyone who replied.
Regards
Royston

[Prasanna Weerakkody]

I’m new to the list, but coming from Sri Lanka and for long involved in the study of Sinhala weapons I may be able to add to the discussion.

I am sorry to disappoint you Royston but this piece is definitely a replica like many that are being regularly made by the “antique shops” in the South of Sri Lanka. The brass hilt with a single piece molding for quillons and guards, the low quality blade and blade being fitted to the hilt with rivets are dead giveaways. and I would not be surprised if the blade rattles on the hilt when shaken. this is a recent mass produced item most probably from a antique dealer in Hikkaduwa or benthota towns.

The origins of the “Kastana” sword can be traced reliably to early 16th century and may even go back as far as late 14th century. The Portuguese influence in the name is a good possibility as this was the time of the wars with the Portuguese in Sri Lanka.

[Royston]

Prasanna

There is an old saying

"All things come to those that wait "

Well, 3 years since my original post and now I have an answer.

Thank you very much

Roy

[VANDOO]

ITS GOOD TO HAVE A MEMBER FROM SIRI LANKA/CEYLON AS EXPERTESE IN THE AREA HAS BEEN LACKING. WELCOME
THE DESIGN HAS BEEN BORROWED BY OTHER COUNTRYS AND NO DOUBT THERE ARE SOUTHERN INDIAN VERSIONS AS WELL AS GERMAN AND DUTCH, ECT. I WILL THROW A FEW PICTURES INTO THE MIX FOR REFRENCE.
1&2 GOOD OLD EXAMPLES
3 & 4 ODD ONE EITHER EUROPEANIZED VERSION OR PERHAPS THAILAND
5 & 6. GERMAN SWORD SHOWING INFLUENCE
7 & 8 SILVER WITH GOLD AND A COMPLETE SCABBARD, LIKELY MADE DURING THE EUROPEAN RULE.

ANY COMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS MOST WELCOME.

[Prasanna Weerakkody]

Thanks all
Nice collection Vandoo thanks again.
The first two with wooden hilts seem to have been put to some use compared to the last which would more likely been a ceremonial / rank weapon.

Including a few images of an interesting kasthane, this weapon was gifted by king Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe to a chieftain of the Mukkara clan; the Mukkara was a clan of silversmiths but the sword was gifted in honor of guarding a water supply during the war with the Dutch East India company. The sword is well crafted and contain several interesting additions. there is a leopard tooth set in place of a crest between the ears of the lion head. and a peacock motif below the Makara head on the guard is possibly a clan sign as one of the three flags gifted along with the sword is also a Peacock flag. The third interesting and unusual embellishment to the sword is that it contains a figure of a goddess at the base of the guard.