Sinhalese Kastane Sword
- Dated: 17th or 18th century
Take a look at this Sinhalese Sri Lankan sword called ‘Kastane’ of early type 17th or early 18th century featuring a rare Ivory makarra lion hilt. Although hilts of these swords can be found made from a number of material including wood, horn silver, brass etc those with ivory tend to survive less freqently due to the inherent fragillity of this precious material. The blade is of simple steel, slightly curved and with a patination overall attesting to the great age of this example.
The carving to the lion hilt is finely done with mane, eyes and open jaws all depicted in traditional Sinhalese tradition style, very fine condition and colour to the ivory rich and golden. The metal guard parts are extremely finely chiselled with scrollwork and inlay of bronze and silver, various makarra or lion heads adorn the quillon terminals and a similar larger makarra or bird heads surmounts the flared handguard to the front of the hilt.
Source: © 2013 Ashoka Arts
