Kastane for comment

Jim McDougall · 9th June 2007, 05:17 PM

Hi Derek,
I sure would like to see the illustration of Bonnie Prince Charlie wearing what must appear to be a kastane also. It seems it would most likely be a hanger of some sort, as one of these in Scotland seems unlikely. I know that many exotic weapons turned up in the Netherlands though, clearly from the Dutch East India Co. commerce in those regions, so who knows?

The history of the kastane itself is obscure, however as a weapon form, actually with focus on the hilt, the earliest known example with the 'sinha' (lion) head and distinct quillon arrangement is held in Tokyo. This sword is provenanced from the Keicho Mission of 1613-1620, which was a diplomatic mission which visited many foreign ports. It is unclear whether the mission actually obtained the kastane in Ceylon (Sinhala, Sri Lanka) or whether it was obtained via another trade location. In any case its provenance does set the hilt form to early 17th c.

In my opinion, the distinct quillon system reflects hanger hilts from earlier Italian sabres known as 'storta' which were widely diffused via the Venetian traders (see "A Late 15th Century Italian Sword", A. North, The Connoisseur, London, 1975). These hilts in turn developed on European hangers of the forms seen in England, Germany and the Netherlands. Many of these later featured lion heads it is uncertain whether the sinha from the kastane may have prompted the European versions. It does seem that these distinct swords may have developed from the considerable trade contact of these powers, and may have been adopted in form in the early years of the 17th c.

It is indeed interesting that with the steel production so prevalent in Sri Lanka from ancient times that they became so reliant on the foreign blades in the case of the kastane. Many examples I have seen seem to consistantly carry VOC (Dutch East India Co.) blades and if memory serves, most of those have dates stamped in 1760's. I do agree that the kastanes do seem to date from 18th century and possibly as noted to c.1815.

Best regards,
Jim

ingelred · 9th June 2007, 06:45 PM

Hello,

in the book Visions of an Island about the collection of Christopher Ondaatje there is another painting mentioned showing a portrait of General Aexander Popham wearing a kastane. According to the book this General lived from 1605 to 1669. This painting is now in the Tower of London and is reproduced in the book, too. There are also nice pictures of all kinds of antiques of Ceylon including many nice kastanes and piha kaettas.

Greetings, Helge

Jim McDougall · 9th June 2007, 08:11 PM

Hi Helge,
Thank you so much for the info on that book! It seems anything really specific on the weapons of Sri Lanka (old Sinhala, Ceylon) is pretty hard to find. Very much appreciate the help on that

I'll try to find a copy.

All the best,
Jim

derek · 9th June 2007, 09:31 PM

Hi Jim,

I'd have to agree it's unlikely Prince Charles come by a kastane in Scotland! But he was after all born in Italy and then exiled in France. I'd guess he came across one during the latter period.

Please let me know if you find that book!

-d

9th June 2007, 05:17 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	Hi Derek, I sure would like to see the illustration of Bonnie Prince Charlie wearing what must appear to be a kastane also. It seems it would most likely be a hanger of some sort, as one of these in Scotland seems unlikely. I know that many exotic weapons turned up in the Netherlands though, clearly from the Dutch East India Co. commerce in those regions, so who knows? The history of the kastane itself is obscure, however as a weapon form, actually with focus on the hilt, the earliest known example with the 'sinha' (lion) head and distinct quillon arrangement is held in Tokyo. This sword is provenanced from the Keicho Mission of 1613-1620, which was a diplomatic mission which visited many foreign ports. It is unclear whether the mission actually obtained the kastane in Ceylon (Sinhala, Sri Lanka) or whether it was obtained via another trade location. In any case its provenance does set the hilt form to early 17th c. In my opinion, the distinct quillon system reflects hanger hilts from earlier Italian sabres known as 'storta' which were widely diffused via the Venetian traders (see "A Late 15th Century Italian Sword", A. North, The Connoisseur, London, 1975). These hilts in turn developed on European hangers of the forms seen in England, Germany and the Netherlands. Many of these later featured lion heads it is uncertain whether the sinha from the kastane may have prompted the European versions. It does seem that these distinct swords may have developed from the considerable trade contact of these powers, and may have been adopted in form in the early years of the 17th c. It is indeed interesting that with the steel production so prevalent in Sri Lanka from ancient times that they became so reliant on the foreign blades in the case of the kastane. Many examples I have seen seem to consistantly carry VOC (Dutch East India Co.) blades and if memory serves, most of those have dates stamped in 1760's. I do agree that the kastanes do seem to date from 18th century and possibly as noted to c.1815. Best regards, Jim

9th June 2007, 06:45 PM	#2
ingelred Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moenchengladbach, Germany Posts: 62	Hello, in the book Visions of an Island about the collection of Christopher Ondaatje there is another painting mentioned showing a portrait of General Aexander Popham wearing a kastane. According to the book this General lived from 1605 to 1669. This painting is now in the Tower of London and is reproduced in the book, too. There are also nice pictures of all kinds of antiques of Ceylon including many nice kastanes and piha kaettas. Greetings, Helge

9th June 2007, 08:11 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	Hi Helge, Thank you so much for the info on that book! It seems anything really specific on the weapons of Sri Lanka (old Sinhala, Ceylon) is pretty hard to find. Very much appreciate the help on that I'll try to find a copy. All the best, Jim

9th June 2007, 09:31 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Jim, I'd have to agree it's unlikely Prince Charles come by a kastane in Scotland! But he was after all born in Italy and then exiled in France. I'd guess he came across one during the latter period. Please let me know if you find that book! -d