This splendid museum quality Kastane, the national sword of Ceylon, is a symphony of gold, silver, and precious stones. The hilt of characteristic dragon form, decorated in two colors of gold and gold on silver. Gold consisting of bright yellow complimented by rose gold. The rubies inlaid in tendrils of gold, pierced through and inset. The dragon head with ruby eyes and well cast and chased teeth. The guard with a dragon's head, also inlaid with rubies, and a faceted large spinel. The crossguard with yellow gold, rose gold, and ruby eyed dragons. Ricasso of pierced yellow gold, cast and chased with flowers. The drooping quillions with ruby eyed dragons complimented by yellow and rose gold inset panels. The scabbard of what appears to be solid rose gold overlaid with pierced yellow gold panels with cast and chased flowers ending in a magnificent rose and yellow gold dragon's head with ruby eyes and what appear to be faceted river diamonds. Weighs 12.6 Avoirdupois Ounces. The 13" blade of great age has been wrapped in a silver sheath for presentation purposes. CONDITION: Hilt would be excellent with one ruby missing from one dragon head and the tongue of the dragon absent. One ruby missing from right side of grip. All other rubies appear intact and original. One ruby missing from the eye of the right quillion dragon. The scabbard in excellent condition with only one minor loss to a prong of the chape. The gold in remarkable condition. One ruby missing from the eye of the dragon finial. The chape with an elaborate English coat of arms, the motto "In Deo Non Armis Fido", the motto of the Morse Family. The Kingdom of Kandy lost its autonomy to the English in 1817. While this Kastane appears to be of 18th century origin, it likely resided in the Royal Treasury until the English rule began at which time it may have been given to a member of the Morse family for services rendered. PROVENANCE: The MUSEO DEL ORO DEL PERU MIGUEL MUJICA GALLO. The quality and magnificence of this Kastane renders to it suitable for any museum in America or abroad and is superior to the example in the Victorian Albert museum and would be the centerpiece of the finest collection of ethnographic weapons. Name Value Blade Length 13" Overall Length 23" Paperwork
This splendid museum quality Kastane, the national sword of Ceylon, is a symphony of gold, silver, and precious stones. The hilt of characteristic dragon form, decorated in two colors of gold and gold on silver. Gold consisting of bright yellow complimented by rose gold. The rubies inlaid in tendrils of gold, pierced through and inset. The dragon head with ruby eyes and well cast and chased teeth. The guard with a dragon's head, also inlaid with rubies, and a faceted large spinel. The crossguard with yellow gold, rose gold, and ruby eyed dragons. Ricasso of pierced yellow gold, cast and chased with flowers. The drooping quillions with ruby eyed dragons complimented by yellow and rose gold inset panels. The scabbard of what appears to be solid rose gold overlaid with pierced yellow gold panels with cast and chased flowers ending in a magnificent rose and yellow gold dragon's head with ruby eyes and what appear to be faceted river diamonds. Weighs 12.6 Avoirdupois Ounces. The 13" blade of great age has been wrapped in a silver sheath for presentation purposes. CONDITION: Hilt would be excellent with one ruby missing from one dragon head and the tongue of the dragon absent. One ruby missing from right side of grip. All other rubies appear intact and original. One ruby missing from the eye of the right quillion dragon. The scabbard in excellent condition with only one minor loss to a prong of the chape. The gold in remarkable condition. One ruby missing from the eye of the dragon finial. The chape with an elaborate English coat of arms, the motto "In Deo Non Armis Fido", the motto of the Morse Family. The Kingdom of Kandy lost its autonomy to the English in 1817. While this Kastane appears to be of 18th century origin, it likely resided in the Royal Treasury until the English rule began at which time it may have been given to a member of the Morse family for services rendered. PROVENANCE: The MUSEO DEL ORO DEL PERU MIGUEL MUJICA GALLO. The quality and magnificence of this Kastane renders to it suitable for any museum in America or abroad and is superior to the example in the Victorian Albert museum and would be the centerpiece of the finest collection of ethnographic weapons. Name Value Blade Length 13" Overall Length 23" Paperwork
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
