Kastane
Sinhalese
Kingdom of Kandy, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Last half of the 18th century
Iron, horn, silver, brass, copper
Blade: 55cm
Hilt & Blade: 69,2cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2019
Collection Number: 94

Ex. Antony Cribb: Newbury, Berkshire, UK (2019)
Ex. West Country UK Private Collection (Pre- 2019)

The kastane is the traditional sword of Sri Lanka, influenced by Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic mythical styles. Later during Dutch and British rule, their styling became more elaborate during the colonial era with lavish decoration and meticulous attention to detail, as their primary function served as symbols of rank rather than the earlier fighting form.

This example is early, likely between the late Dutch and early English period. The blade is scimitar shaped, locally manufactured rather than European origin, but having a heavy thickness to it. The single- edge blade has a shallow groove near the base. The ricasso with remnants of panels on each side decorated in traditional Sinhalese brass floral inlay. The spine is thick for this type with some perpendicular linear engravings along the back edge.

The guard with a triangular langlet ornamented in fine silver foil floral work formed with opposing makara mythical beasts in silver with brass manes and inlaid eyes. The highly decorated iron guard having another makara at the quillon terminal. The knuckle bow extensively covered in silver foil and brass terminating with the head of a se'rape'ndiya. Brass ferrule in floral styling.

The pommel is a dark horn in the form of a sim'ha (lion head), adorned with a brass mouth showing it's teeth, tongue, and brass mane. Copper capped eyes (one missing). The ears of the simha are missing as well, as likely is the mane, where these extremities were probably chipped off long ago. The mane has been covered in a brass sheet, a repair done probably in situ. The grip is a stylized mane of the sim'ha having two finger grooves carved in liya-pata (floral scrolls) and liya-vela (flowers encircling their stems).

A fine example of the Sinhalese kastane sword. The ornamentation designated to a ranking nobleman or upper social position in the Kandyan hierarchy. The fine carving, ironwork, and traditional Sinhalese craftsmanship can be seen within the details of this piece.

[1] Richardson, Thom. 2018. “Indian Arms And Armour”. Page 77

[2] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-70366

[3] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-106709

[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_As1898-0703-261-a

[5] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/kasthane

[6] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/sinhalese-kasthane

[7] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4783

[8] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=349

[9] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3054

[10] https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-beautiful-kastane-498-c-0e24d4bafe