Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c24.67

c24.67

The art of pottery has degenerated far less than the other Sinhalese industrial arts, and though there is nowadays little demand for good work in decorated finials, imposing lamp-stands or moulded eaves-tiles, the potter’s ordinary wares have not changed much, either lately, or probably even for a very long time. We may congratulate ourselves then that Sinhalese pottery has so far degenerated very little; this is mainly because it is so cheap and so intimately adapted to local requirements as not to invite the competition of imported machine-made wares. Unfortunately, however, the kerosine tin has made some progress, and is commonly seen in use instead of a kaḷageḍiya. This is pitiful, but less fatal than a degeneration of form in the kaḷageḍiya itself. The growing use of Basel Mission and Mangalore tiles is more to be regretted, no less on the score of comfort than of appearance; an ancient building re-covered with such tiles, perhaps subscribed for at considerable cost by poor village contributors to some vihāra funds, is robbed of most of its distinctive character. Is it too much to ask those concerned to take a little trouble and exercise some thought in dealing with such buildings? Now that the old sumptuary laws forbidding tiled roofs to any but Disāvas are no longer in force, the builder of a new house might even, if he cared to do so, make it beautiful by giving due consideration to its roof. Unfortunately, the elements of beauty or dignity, which may enter into even such homely matters, are the last which are likely to influence him; and at the same time the capacity for good work in making and laying tiles is dying out, so that it is increasingly difficult to get it, and a majority of persons are scarcely aware that good work ever was done, or can recognize it when they see it.