Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.9

c19.9

Gold (*ratram pāṭa*).—Gold is used in an old pattern-book of the eighteenth century which I have, and in the *baṇadham* book (breviary) from which pages are reproduced on Pl. XX; but I have seen no other examples. The gold prepared for use is said to have come from Siam, which is quite possible. The use of gold leaf, however, applied to gild stone or other statues is a common and ancient practice.