Knife (Piha Kaetta) with Sheath
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Ivory, silver, brass
Dimensions
H. with sheath 14 in. (35.6 cm); H. without sheath 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm); W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 6.9 oz. (649.2 g); Wt. of sheath 3.4 oz. (96.4 g)
Classification
Knives
Culture
Sri Lankan
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Accession Number
36.25.961a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Piha Kaetta* knife with sheath, hailing from Sri Lanka in the 18 or 19th century, exemplifies the fusion of utility and artistry in South Asian arms. Measuring 14 inches tall with its sheath and weighing a substantial 1 pound 6.9 ounces, the blade and fittings are crafted from ivory, silver, and brass—luxurious materials that elevate it beyond a mere weapon into a status symbol. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor department, it reflects the skilled workmanship of an unknown artisan during a period of Sri Lankan cultural flourishing under the Kandyan Ki...