A SINHALESE OR CEYLONESE KASTANE OR SHORT SWORD, 36cm curved blade with faceted back edge, inlaid in

A SINHALESE OR CEYLONESE KASTANE OR SHORT SWORD, 36cm curved blade with faceted back edge, inlaid in brass and chiselled with a geometric design, characteristic white metal hilt decorated with scrolling foliage and geometric designs, the various quillons and terminals formed into mythical beasts or simah, the pommel of typical open mouthed crested simah form with semi-precious pink stone eyes, one lacking, contained in its white metal panelled scabbard decorated with scrolling foliage within geometric borders, a grotesque mask adorns the scabbard just below the throat. Late 19th or 20th Century.