Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.103

c22.103

Silver and gold articles, other than jewellery, are naturally rare. The country was not rich in specie, and it is said that even the revenue paid to the last king, who has the reputation of an extortioner, did not exceed 15,000 Rupees, the then equivalent of £1500. The finest examples of gold and silver plate remaining are to be found in temples, the king’s own property having been for the most part looted and removed in 1815. Pl. XLII. shows a number of silver and gold articles from Kandy temples. The silver lamp, the gold fan (*ran-vaṭaha-paṭa*) and betel stand (*dalamura taṭuva*) are of exceedingly fine design