Dagger (Piha Kaetta) with Stylus and Sheath

17th century

Not on view

It is common to find a sylus accompanying a piha kaetta, the traditional form of Sri Lankan knife. The stylus is a customary Sri Lankan writing implement for palm-leaf paper. After the letters are incised with the stylus into the paper, black ink is rubbed over the surface and wiped off.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Dagger (Piha Kaetta) with Stylus and Sheath
Date: 17th century
Culture: Sri Lankan
Medium: Steel, horn, wood, brass
Dimensions: Dagger (a): L. with sheath 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm); L. without sheath 11 in. (27.9 cm); L. of blade 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm); W. 13/16 in. (2.1 cm); D. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); Wt. 4 oz. (113.4 g); Wt. of sheath 1.4 oz. (39.7 g); skewer (b): L. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); W. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); D. 9/16 in. (1.4 cm); Wt. 2.1 oz. (59.5 g)
Classification: Daggers
Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
Object Number: 32.75.251a–c
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Dagger with Sheath, Steel, horn, brass, silver, Moroccan — Dagger with Sheath
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Smallsword, Steel, brass, wood, Sri Lankan (Ceylon, for the European market) — Smallsword
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ca. 1700–1725

Dagger with Sheath, Steel, wood, brass, horn, bone, Syrian — Dagger with Sheath
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18th–19th century

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