Suli Vẹla
A Sinhalese decorative motif that consists of circular vines.
Niyapoten vẹḍa
A type of Sinhalese lacquer work that was done using the fingernails.
Mātale work
A type of Sinhalese lacquer work that was done using the fingernails.
Lanu-daṉgaya
Sinhalese term for a decorative motif that resembles knotwork.
Palā peti
Alternative Sinhalese term for a decorative motif consisting of stylized petals.
Pahade
Sinhalese term for a decorative motif consisting of stylized petals.
Paṭṭal Hatara
The Four Workshops of the King of Kandy.
Ī-vaḍuvō
Literally "arrow-makers", a Sinhalese class of craftsmen that did wood turning and lacquer work.
Patura
Language: Sinhalese
Source: Standard literature
Bin̆duva (බිඳුව)
A Sinhalese decorative motif in lacquer that consists of diamond shapes.
Gal-biṉdu (ගල් බින්දු)
A Sinhalese decorative motif in lacquer that consists of diamond shapes.
Ādāra-koṇḍu
A Sinhalese decorative pattern that consists of plain lines.
Vẹlpota
A Sinhalese decorative motif.
Sinhalese patisthānaya
A very fine example retaining its original lacquered shaft.
Patisthāna
Alternative name for a Sinhalese processional polearm. See patisthānaya below.
Patisthānaya
A Sinhalese processional polearm.
Gal-mita pike
Sinhala term for fancy knives. Literally "stone handled knife".
Thuda
Sinhala for the point of a sword blade.
Agissa
Sinhala for the edge on a sword blade.
Peeli
Sinhala for grooves on a blade. (Fullers).
Isa
Sinhala for "blade".
Kadu patha
Sinhala for "blade".
Alluva
Sinhala for side plates on a sword.
Sérapéṅdiya mūna
Sinhala for the head of a mythical bird. Often used as sword ornament.
Vari sārkawa
Sinhala for the quillons on a Sinhalese sword.
Ath häde
Sinhala for "knuckle guard".
Ath väsma
Sinhala term given by Deraniyagala for "knuckle guard".
Siṃha mūnu mitta
Sinhala for "lion-faced hilt"
Mitta
Sinhala for "hilt".
Gediya
Sinhala for "pommel".
Siṃha
Sinhalese for "lion". The national symbol of the Sinhalese people.
Sinhalese knife and stylus
Fitting in a single scabbard. Modest for Sinhalese work.
A large pihiya kättha
A massive example weighing just over 800 grams. With scabbard.
Sinhalese kasthāné dated 1776
A very fine specimen, complete with ruby-set scabbard.
Silver Sinhalese ul-pihiya
A fine Kandyan knife, or ul-pihiya, probably mid 18th century.
Sinhalese export sword guard
A large circular Asian export sword guard with elaborate decor carved in relief on both sides.
Ul pihiya
Sinhala for "sharp knife".
Pihiya
Sinhala for "knife".
Piha kaetta
Often-used term to describe a group of ornate Sinhalese knives.
Liya-pata
A type of Sinhalese decorative work consisting of scrolls.
Liya-vẹla
A type of Sinhalese decorative work consisting of repetitive floral motifs.
Kasthāné
The national sword of Sri Lanka, being a saber with an elaborately carved hilt.
A Sinhalese spear
A nice example of a rare type of weapon from the Sinhalese arsenal.
Fine Canton-style export sword guard
Introduction
Many Asian export sword guards, and later Japanese guards inspired by them, were modeled after
A fine silver hilted kasthāné
Of the Royal Workshops of the Kingdom of Khandy.
Nanban tsuba & Asian export sword guards
For long, "nanban tsuba" literally "Southern barbarian sword-guards" have been a catch-all classification for sword guards for Japanese swords (tsuba), that show foreign influence.
An unusual pihiya (piha kaetta)
Probably from the late Kandyan period.