Sword kastane forged and chiselled steel with chased silver, a carved horn grip and silver overlaid hilt, Sri Lanka, 18th century.

Sword kastane with a slightly curved single edged steel blade ornamented with chased silver work. The grip is of carved horn in the form of a dragon's head. The quillons and finger guard are overlaid with silver and chiselled in a representation of a goddess

Purchased from Ralph Nevill, Esq., 89 Chancery Lane

As originally arranged and displayed in Exhibition Road Indian Museum galleries until 1955, with some additions while in storage, case F.696

260 objects from the collection of Hugh L Nevill (1847-1897) were purchased from his brother Ralph Nevill Esq for £75 in 1897. Hugh Nevill was a British civil servant who served in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) between 1869 and 1888. During his service, he developed an interest in Sri Lankan culture and history assembled a diverse collection of Sri Lankan items including palm leaf manuscripts (now in the British Library), jewellery, bronzes and stones from c. 1865 to 1897. Upon his death, his collection of mainly religious material, ethnographic objects and art metalwork was purchased through his brother by various museums. Sixty items were purchased by the Dublin Museum of Science and Art (National Museum of Ireland), 207 by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art (National Museum of Scotland) and 260 by the South Kensington Museum.

This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

RP: 45151/97

The kastane is the national sword of Sri Lanka. It typically has a short curved single-edged blade, double-edged at the point. The hilt comprises a knuckle-guard and down-turned quillons, each terminating in a dragon's head. The swords were intended to serve as badges of rank; the quality of ornamentation depending on the status of the wearer.

The establishment of European trading contacts with South Asia by the late 16th and early 17th century led to these swords becoming fashionable dress accessories among European gentlemen. A kastane can be seen in an equestrian portrait of Colonel Alexander Popham at Littlecote House in the care of the Royal Armouries Collection (I.315).

IS.196-1897