Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.135

c22.135

The general character of Sinhalese jewellery may be gathered from Plates XLVII.—LI. The examples illustrated belong for the most part to the finer kind of jewellery worn by the ladies of rank. But a good deal of jewellery was also worn by men, and especially by the king. “When the king,” says Davy, “appeared on state occasions, he was either dressed in the most magnificent robes, loaded with a profusion of jewellery, or in complete armour of gold,* ornamented with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds.” He almost always carried a jewelled cane. A special officer (*lekam-mahātmaya*) had charge of the jewels which the king wore habitually. Davy states that but few others were permitted to wear ornaments of gold: “those only who have been honoured with presents of the kind from the hand of royalty, to whom, according to their sumptuary laws, this precious metal is peculiarly confined.” All gems were also reserved to the use of royalty. But splendid jewellery was also worn by the chiefs and their families, and even the ordinary *govi-vamsa* families had generally one or two gold chains and rings, and a good many of silver.