Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c27.7

c27.7

Things em- The embroidered objects most often seen are betel-bags (*buḷat-payi*) of all sizes; less common broidered are kerchiefs or napkins (*lēnsu*), caps (*ispay*), jackets (*heṭṭa*), pillow cases (*koṭṭa ura*), *pacisi* cloths, saddle cloths (*palas*). The betel-bags (Pls. XXX.—XXIII.) vary in size from small ones carried in the waist belt, to very large ones, four feet or more in length. The latter were carried by a servant in processions or on journeys, slung over the shoulder. Noblemen were never without an attendant carrying their betel-bag (see above, pp. 33, 34) and lime-box; less important personages carried their own. The large bags are exactly the same in construction as the small ones—a bag of oval shape made of blue cloth lined with undyed cotton cloth, which opens nearly half way down the whole length at the sides; the inner part is separated into two divisions. The inner division, again consisting of a double piece of cloth, is also used as a pocket, called *hora payiya*, ‘hidden pocket’; it has a very small opening at the upper end, through which spices, money and other valuables are put. Larger things were carried in the two outer pockets. The handle is made of embroidered cloth, or of a band of plaited cord, and is finished off at the end with a beautifully and ingeniously worked, and very hard, ball (*vēgeḍi-bōrale*) and tassel (*pohoṭṭuva*). The outside of the bag is embroidered on both sides in red and white cotton with conventional designs, sometimes very elaborately. Bags of later make are often done in red cloth, probably because the blue hand-made cloth could no longer be obtained; some of these are equally good, the tradition both in design and stitches being for some time well maintained. Few or no good bags are now made, partly owing to the lack of proper materials. One of the most perfect small bags I have seen was of red hand-made cloth embroidered entirely with silk, the use of which is very exceptional. I have referred to the plaited cord of which the handles are sometimes made; for this, cotton cord of two colours is plaited into a thick stout flat braid which is very handsome and durable. It may be mentioned that similar plaited cord strings, but round, of two or three colours are made by priests for ola book strings (*poṭ-lanu*).