Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c15.68

c15.68

It is noteworthy that rare woods, such as ebony and calamander, were most sparingly used by Kandyan carpenters. Ebony is sometimes used as inlay, often associated with ivory, as at Riḍi Vihāra, with a fine effect; for ‘raylings,’ as we are told by Knox; but rare woods are not used for the construction of large objects, such as boxes and doors. It is really a misuse of material to attempt such work: the wood is rare (calamander now almost extinct as a result of the increased demand) and should be used as such, with restraint and dignity; it is difficult to get large pieces of it, and it readily cracks, as if intended only for inlay. There is a certain vulgarity associated with the use of rare materials in large quantities where not required.