A gem-set silver and gold Singhalese steel sword (kastane) and scabbard, Sri Lanka, 17th century, 60cm. high This kastāné (A Sinhalese sword with a short curved blade) is a ceremonial sword, part of the official dress of Sinhalese who served the Dutch or British administrations in Sri Lanka as Ārachchi, Muhandiram, Wāsala-Mudliyar, Gate-Mudliyar, and Maha Mudliyar. Some of these ceremonial swords date from the late seventeenth century but most are eighteenth and early nineteenth century. These ceremonial swords have certain distinctive characteristics: the sinha head pommel is invariably set with precious stones, usually ruby eyes. The mouth contains numerous teeth and a projecting tongue. The silver hilts are elaborately worked and overlaid with gold. There are usually two quillon blocks. The blades of these swords are sometimes made of brass or a copper alloy. The scabbard is made of silver decorated with traditional motifs and sometimes gold. This hilt is made of cast and chiselled silver with gold detailing, an octagonal grip, a knucklebow and quillons. The pommel has a typical simha or lion head with red eyes and the lion’s mane is made of two rows of scrolls of palā-péti form. The lion head has a protruding gilt tongue. Below the mane the grip has individual finger indentations. Below these but above the guard is a bolster. The S shaped knuckle guard has at either end the head of a mythical bird called a sérapéndiya, also known as a gurulu pakshayā. The lower quillons are decorated with a liya-pata design and the terminals end in two makara heads. The knuckle guard broadens in the middle to carry a protective abstract design on its convex side. Curved single edged local steel blade, tapering towards the point, with silver arabesques at the forte. Silver scabbard with embossed scrolling leaf design. Please refer to department for condition report