Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.119

c22.119

*Sannas* or charters are generally engraved on copper, less often on silver or gold. The *Sannas* Mahā Dēvāle possesses a gold *sannasa*, which is kept in a silver-mounted ivory box (Pl. XL., 7). Copper *sannas* are much commoner, and are to be found in the hands of temple representatives, and lay grantees of lands or villages. In some cases they are very beautifully engraved and ornamented, as may be seen from the reproductions of *sannas* in Bell’s ‘Report on the Kēgalla District.’ The Molligoḍa *sannasa*, for example, is a silver-mounted copper plate, 19½ by 3¾ inches, smooth and polished, the letters small, close and beautifully engraved. The royal sign manual, *ŚRĪ*, which heads every such grant, is inlaid in gold, within a plain space, having an embossed fluted gold framing raised upon the surface of the plate. This *sannasa*, dated Śaka 1736 (A.D. 1814) was perhaps the last *sannasa* obtained from a Kandyan king; in workmanship it must be one of the most beautiful.