A Sinhalese Kirichchiya (Mahout Knife)
A Sinhalese Kirichchiya (Mahout Knife)
British Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
First half 20th century
Steel, Antler (Axis Deer?)
Blade: 15,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 23,5cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2023
Deaccessioned: 2024
Collection Number: 326
Ex. Mandarin Mansion: Haarlem, Netherlands (2023)
An uncommon knife from Sri Lanka called a kirichchiya, used by mahouts for the tending and training of their elephants. Used more for utility rather than defense, the early examples were more fanciful with elaborate carvings, influenced by early Indoesian knives such as the sewar. Later, pieces such as this one were more of a basic form and less decorated. Its dating is likely within the first half of 20th century.
This example features a single- edged steel blade forming into a clip-point. Ricasso at the base of the blade with finger guard. Linear and semi-circular engravings along half of the blade length. The hilt is composed of two slabs of antler held by two rivets, possibly from axis deer.