Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.141

c22.141

*Charms* Not much is known of Sinhalese jewellery in relation to its talismanic and protective character. The children’s pendant called *divi niya pota*, cheetah’s claws ornament, consists of two cheetah’s claws, mounted in silver, and suspended by a chain about a child’s neck. Examples are illustrated on Pl. XLVIII., Figs. 9, 10, and 14-17. Many specimens have on the reverse side, representations of the ‘Five Weapons’ of Viṣṇu (spear, sword, discus, bow, and chank). A *navaratna muḍuva* is a ring set with nine stones, said to be those associated with the influence of the nine planets. Amulets to hold charmed oil or written mantrams are worn on armlets and waist belts. An armlet carrying such an amulet is called *keccagama* (Pl. XLIX., 13).