Lot 296: A SRI LANKAN PIHA-KAETTA DAGGER WITH BRASS & SILVER MOUNTS, 18TH CENTURY

A Sri Lankan piha kaetta dagger, dating from the 18th or early 19th-century Kandy period, featuring a heavy steel blade with a recurved profile. The base of the blade and the bolster are decorated with intricate silver and gold-toned metal inlays and chased foliate scrollwork, known as liya-pata. A decorative silver casing with repeating semi-circular engraved motifs runs along the spine for the entire length of the blade. The hilt is composed of a deeply carved dark material, likely buffalo horn, exhibiting traditional Sinhalese ornamentation and terminating in a decorative metallic pommel cap with a small finial. The tang is secured through the hilt with a visible metal rivet.

L: 28cm