Knife (Piha Kaetta) with Sheath

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 18th-century Sri Lankan knife, known as a *Piha Kaetta*, exemplifies the island's rich tradition of finely crafted edged weapons. Measuring 11⅝ inches with its sheath, the dagger features a slender, leaf-shaped steel blade measuring 6½ inches, adorned with brass, silver, and horn (likely from buffalo or rhinoceros) fittings, plus a wooden hilt. Weighing just 8.6 ounces without its 1.7-ounce sheath, its balanced design speaks to both functionality and artistry, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department as a gift from Bashford Dean in 1920. In Kandyan-era Sri Lanka, the *Piha Kaetta* was more than a weapon—it was a symbol of warrior status and cultural pride. Wielded horizontally in the fist for close combat, it was integral to indigenous martial arts like Angampora and served ceremonial roles among Sinhalese nobility. The 18th century saw such blades forged amid resistance to colonial incursions by Portuguese, Dutch, and British forces, blending practical steelwork with decorative inlays of silver and brass that highlight masterful Sinhalese metalworking techniques. Today, this piece invites reflection on Sri Lanka's martial heritage, where beauty met lethality. Its compact form and luxurious materials underscore how arms could double as status objects, bridging utility and aesthetics in a turbulent historical moment.