Kastane

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Kastane is a short traditional ceremonial/decorative single-edged sword of Sri Lanka. Kastanes often have elaborate hilts, especially shaped and described as a rich mythical style inherited from Buddhism and Hinduism and in blending a variety of Deities including Makara, Lions, Kirtimukha Serapendiya, Nagas, crocodile/human monsters and other dragon and gargoyle like effigies. Some are emitted onto the hand guard and cross guard with Vajra style pseudo-quillons whose finials are also decorated by minor monsters and a rain-guard decorated by the Makara or Serapendiya Peacock tail or fish scales which occasionally flows over and onto the blade at the throat. The Scabbard is occasionally seen with a miniature beasts head at the Chape also emitting a Deity or cloud pattern. Sometimes a small human face decorates the hand-guard which is a half human/half crocodile monster.

The main aspect of Kastane Hilts shows the central monster as above accompanied by supporting minor monster forms and the peculiar guard arrangement incorporating Buddhist style Vajra quillons, cross and hand guards. In approaching a description authors should observe each Kastane separately since no two are identical and the main Hilt theme thus could be either of the variant Deities Lion or Makara/ Serapendiya etc and since artist and artisan may well have applied a broad ranging interpretation of the form. In 1807 it is recorded that the sword was an indicator of Official Rank so that the more senior persons would wear a more lavishly adorned weapon etc.

They first arose in the Kandyan Kingdom (16th century), likely inspired by European blades brought by the Portuguese period in Ceylon. The hilt also has some resemblance to south Indian dagger hilts. The sword comes in a variety of sizes and it can be either straight or slightly curved. The blades are usually single-edged and most frequently are made in Europe. Some of the blades may bear the East India Company trademark. The single part of the sword that shares the same characteristics is the hilt. The hilt has two or four quillons. In the 4-quillon version the smaller two quillons are swept downwards toward the tip of the blade. One of the quillons is usually longer and it forms a counterguard protecting the knuckles. The pommel of the hilt usually bends a little towards the edged side of the blade. The pommel and the quillons are very beautiful as each of them ends with a carved monster’s head. The hilts are often encrusted with gemstones as in the eyes of Ruby stones and inlaid with silver or made entirely of silver or gold. The scabbards of the Kastane swords are made of wood or rhino horn and are decorated with brass, silver or gold. It is a testament to the skill of the traditional craftsmen operating in Sri Lankas ancient Royal Sword Workshops.

This type of sword is displayed in the modern Flag of Sri Lanka and are used by general officers of the Sri Lanka Army.

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