Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c26.11

c26.11

Woven pillow cases (koṭṭa ura) are now very rarely met with. Embroidered examples are less scarce. Belts (paṭi) are also rare, by far the finest example being one belonging to the present High Priest of Malvatte, and shown on Pl. XXIX., 7. This belt is remarkable in many respects, not least in variety and type of design; it is said to be Uva work, probably eighteenth century. The belts more usually worn, over the voluminous folds of Kandyan costume, are more often of Indian origin, as in the case of the chief whose portrait appears on Pl. III. Napkins are usually plain and coarse, but sometimes patterned; if more elaboration is desired, it is obtained by embroidery of finer material (Pl. XXXIII., 4, 5; and XXVIII., 2, 3). Kerchiefs and shawls are usually covered with pattern work, but are rarely met with; the kerchiefs (lensu, Port.) were worn by men on the head, as a small turban, or used as the ceremonial covering of an offering; the shawl (ura malaya) over the shoulder, as in India.