Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.108

c22.108

*Gold and silver plate* *Metal work* and workmanship. The silver *keṇḍiya* from the Mahā Dēvāle is also very beautiful, and noticeable for its simplicity and restraint. The little *pacca-kusalana* or sandal wood paste cup, gold mounted and set with rubies and sapphires, is said to have been dedicated by Rājādhi Rāja Simha, with the *jaya saka* and the *Algama sannasa*, after a victory over the Dutch at Gurubēbile; it was no doubt used at Royal inauguration ceremonies, when the sword of state was first girded on a new king. On such occasions, the sword having been girded on the prince by a member of the Pilima Talāva family, whose privilege this was, the Kapurāla “presented a pot of sandal-powder, in which the prince, who may now be called king, dipped his fingers and touched the sword; and this ceremony was performed in the Maha as well as in the Nāta Dēvāle” (Davy, ‘Travels in Ceylon,’ p. 168).