Kastane Short Sword From Ceylon Sri Lanka 18th Century

Rare old traditional Kastane dagger from Ceylon, 18th century Sinhalese aristocrat sword of very good quality, with a 43cm curved steel blade with a robust edge with a heel inlaid with brass panels engraved with scrolls. Black wooden handle finished with a finely carved Makara head (mythical sea dragon), ears and jaw in patinated brass (slight missing on the corner of the mouth on the left) patinated silver band nailed on the back forming a mane, finely chiseled bronze cruise and guard branch inlaid with a silver pastille, ends of the branches and quillon with finely chiseled bronze Garuda eagle and mythical dragon heads. Work of great finesse and represents a real Kastane sword of museum quality considered a work of art. fine traces of oxidation on the blade. Total length: 65cm. These high quality swords were worn among high officials of the Sinhalese court as a status symbol as well as a combat weapon.