Piha- Kaetta
Kingdom of Kandy (Sri Lanka)
Late 17th century
Iron, ivory, silver
Blade: 17,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 27,3cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2020
Collection Number: 108

Ex. Oriental Arms: Haifa, Israel (2020)

A beautiful and fine Sinhalese Kandyan or piha- kaetta knife from the old Kingdom of Kandy of the highlands Sri Lanka. The knives are known for their intricately carved hilts and detailed silver and brass ornamentation. This example deviates from the traditional form in that the hilt is made from the top of a Sinhalese sword stick, a popular Dutch celyonese fashion of the late 17th century.

This piha- kaetta features a heavy down curving single- edged iron blade forged with a muti-faceted bolster with two rings. A deep fuller spans about half of the length of the blade below the spine. The base having the traditional liya- pata curl. Turned elephant ivory hilt with an ivory spacer and bulbous pommel. The hilt now a beautifully orange hue from age. Capped with a silver plate engraved with intricate liya- vela vegetal designs.

While piha- kaetta knives come in a variety of traditional forms, I have not identified another example with a sword stick hilt. A very early, fine, and interesting piece.

The last photo compares the hilt to Sinhalese sword stick handles of the late 17th century - early 18th century in the book, "Ancient Swords, Daggers & Knives in Sri Lankan Museums," pages 190 - 191.

[1] https://oriental-arms.com/product/very-early-piha-kahetta-knife/

[2] P.H.D.H. De Silva, Senarath Wickramasinghe. 2007. “Ancient Swords, Daggers & Knives in Sri Lankan Museums”. Pages 190 – 191 (Sword Sticks)