Kastane, the symbol of Lanka-Russia ties | Sunday Observer

Kastane, the symbol of Lanka-Russia ties

2 April, 2017

President Maithripala Sirisena who was on a three-day State visit to Russia recently, received a pleasant surprise when he entered the Green Chimney Room in the Kremlin at the Red Square when the Russian President, Vladimir Putin presented him a significant gift- an antique Kastane (Royal Sword) of the 19th century Kandyan era, symbolizing the firm bilateral ties between the two countries. Completing a successful three-day official visit to Russia, President Sirisena returned to the island on March 25, consequent to strengthening mutual relations and bringing many developmental benefits to the country.

The President visited Russia on an official invitation extended by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is the first time a Sri Lankan Head of State received an official invitation to visit Russia after over four decades, and is the first official visit to Russia by a Sri Lankan Leader since 1974, when the late Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike visited Moscow. President Sirisena’s visit to Russia is an important milestone in the 60 years of relations between the two nations. It was the SLFP Founder and the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1957.

Sotheby’s Auction

During the bilateral meeting, the Russian President presented a royal sword of the 19th century Kandyan era to President Sirisena, symbolizing the close relations between the two countries. This sword had been taken to England in 1906 and later bought by Russia at an archaeological artifact auction at Sotheby’s in England. The Kastane or royal sword, was auctioned at Sotheby’s Auction House on December 19, 2006 in the elite section of “Property of a Princely Family and Other Aristocratic Estates”. Its citation at Sotheby’s stated that, “the ‘Kastane’ was the major attribute of the noblemen of Sri Lanka”. People who were not noble by origin were not eligible to bear or even keep a Kastane. Therefore, the purpose of such arm was to underline the stature of the bearer.

The Kastane with a curved blade, is a steel sword, a single blade and no fuller. The upper part of the sword consists of a handle sleeve made of gold metal. Back in times, when the sword was used, the sword and the handle sleeve used to be polished to maintain its sparkle.

The crosspiece consists of a metal handle and sophisticated hand guard (yellow metal). The upper part of the handle is curved towards the blade part and its design represents a mythological creature with open mouth and sharp teeth. The style of the design of the mythological creature reminds one of images representing the so-called Sinhala Lions. The Lion’s eyes are made of hard semi-transparent crimson material. The same material is used for incrustation of the back upper part of the handle. Floral ornament makes part of the handle design as well.

The hand guard composition includes a guard (quillon) with its longest part curved upward and almost reaching ‘the mouth of the mythological creature’ (the guard of knuckle-bow of European crosspieces) and its shortest part slightly curved upward. It includes branches of the quillon facing downward and decorated branches which are located under the quillon are rounded toward the quillon. The quillon has elements of floral design, and images of heads of mythological creatures; the long quillon has an image attributed to Buddhist iconography. The eyes of mythological creatures and the lowest part of the above-mentioned image are decorated with semi-transparent crimson material. The sheath is metal (yellow metal) with wooden plates inside. The sheath is decorated with elements of a floral design.

Inherently, the arm of stature with rich and sophisticated design pertinent to royal representatives is historically remarkable and is of great scientific value. Such arm is unique and such items are very rare in state and private collections in the Russian Federation. Considering the combined characteristics, the manner and period of manufacture, Kastane is an antique arm of cultural value under the protection of Article 243 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, to protect it from damage or destruction. Items manufactured over 50 years are items of cultural value as per Law No: 4804-1 on Export and Import of Cultural Property, dated 15 April 1993.

The sources of the National Museum of Colombo told the Sunday Observer that yet they have not been informed of the Russian gift. They said, they are not in a position to comment on the historical significance of the gift as they have not yet seen it. However, the sources said: “There were certain media reports that the Presidential Secretariat is willing to donate it to the National Museum, but they have not informed us, yet.

There are several kinds of historical swords in the National Museum collection. However, we are unable to comment on the sword without seeing the artifact”. On earlier occasions too, mementos gifted to leaders have been handed over to the National Museum and they are in the museum collection. Most of these gifts have a historical and sentimental value as they had been gifted to State Leaders during their official visits to countries worldwide.

A Foreign Ministry official who was part of the official delegation to Russia said, presenting the Royal Sword to President Maithripala Sirisena by the Russian President Vladimir Putin was a surprise and even the Russian Foreign Ministry was not aware of it. Nor was the Sri Lankan delegation until it was gifted to the President. The official said, Russia accorded a warm and cordial reception to the President which was a great honour to a country like Sri Lanka. As a distinguished feature of the President’s state visit, the one to one meeting between President Sirisena and Russian President Putin which had been scheduled for 20 minutes went up to one hour and five minutes. In addition, the official bilateral meeting continued up to one and a half hours.


Royal Swords

Kastane is a short traditional ceremonial/decorative single-edged sword of Sri Lanka. Kastanes often have elaborate hilts, specially shaped and described as a rich mythical style inherited from Buddhism and Hinduism and in blending a variety of Icons including Makara, Lions, Kirtimukha Serapendiya, Nagas, crocodile/human monsters and other dragon and gargoyle like effigies.

The National Museum of Colombo displays the oldest surviving makara-guard adorning a pre-kastane sword from the early Kotte Kingdom. In 1807, it is recorded that the sword was an indicator of the official rank, so that the more senior persons in what could be described as a colonial civil service would wear a more lavishly adorned weapon, and that this was also the intent though perhaps to a lesser degree in the Portuguese and Dutch periods. It is likely that this is a home grown weapon though perhaps inspired by European swords brought during the Portuguese period in Ceylon or in fact, imported by Muslim sea traders. The scabbards of the Kastane swords are made of wood or Rhino horn and are decorated with brass, silver and/or gold. It is a testament to the skill of the traditional craftsmen operating in Sri Lanka’s ancient Royal Sword Workshops.

 

 

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