Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c24.49

c24.49

The handsome earthen finials, often decorated with cobras (Pl. VII., 2), which complete Finials the effect of a Kandyan roof must also be mentioned here. They are found on ambalams and on dēvales and vihāra roofs, where, however, the earthen finials are often replaced by more pretentious ones of gilt bronze. It should be remembered that in the old days only chiefs of the rank of a Disāva were allowed to build tiled houses; much less was it generally permitted to make use of finials on domestic roofs.