Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c21.19

c21.19

One of the most remarkable feats of the turner is the manufacture of scent-sprays. The *simidiya*, or ivory scent-spray consists of a hollow cylindrical base, and a long neck. The base, holding the scent, is so thin that it is easily compressed by slight pressure of the hand. The method of turning ivory to this extreme thinness, almost that of paper, is kept a secret, but would seem to depend only on great patience and delicacy of handling.