Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c38.75

c38.75

1. Ivory panel, probably a ‘pana-katuva,’ or central part of double comb with teeth broken and subsequently removed. Figure of a devi seated on throne, and holding branches. Kundi-rakkan and arimbuva border. Colombo Museum collection.
2. Veli-pata, ivory style used by Buddhist priest in pansala schools for teaching writing. Length 6 7/8 inches. Kandy Museum collection.
3. Ivory dice, pasaka, pahada kahuru, for game of chaupai or pacisi. Engraved circles inlaid with lac indicate the numbers, 6, 5, 4, 3. Length 3 1/2 inches. Kandy Museum collection.
4. Panava, ivory comb. Double comb, obverse and reverse carved alike, with hamsa pattuva, and pair of birds supporting. Compare hamsa pattuva with Fig. 20, p. 85, in both cases the reduced ‘tree of life’ between the affronted animals is clearly recognizable. Measures 4 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches. Kandy Museum collection.
5. Doratu-pala-rupaya, figure of a deva from a vihara door jamb. Figure in traditional divine costume, holding a camara; arimbuva border. Panel measures 9 1/4 x 3 1/2 inches. Colombo Museum collection.
6. Silver-mounted ivory arm-ring. Diameter 4 inches. Colombo Museum collection.
7. Ivory sannas box, containing gold sannasa. Poor silver mounting. Length 17 1/4 inches. Maha Devale, Kandy.
8. Kan-henda, ivory ear-pick. Finely carved serapendiya. Length 3 1/2 inches. Author's collection.
9. Kan-henda, ivory ear-pick. Poorly carved. Length 2 3/4 inches. Author's collection.
10. Kan-henda, ivory ear-pick. Well carved with ‘pine-apple’ type of ornament. Length 3 inches. Author's collection.
11. Panava, plain ivory comb. Width about 3 1/2 inches. Author's collection.
12. Large horn comb, pierced and inlaid with ivory. Hamsa pattuva design, with four heads (of serapendiya?). Measures 5 5/8 x 4 3/8 inches. Author's collection.
13. Panava, horn comb, pierced work, with nari lata figure, within arimbuva border. Length 5 1/8 inches. Kegalla Kacceri.
14. Panava, horn comb. Measures 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Author's collection.
15. Behet-karakaya, pill box; turned horn.
16. Behet-karakaya, pill box; turned horn.
17. Behet-karakaya, pill box. Carved horn, silver mounted, with ivory lid. Remarkable variety of pala peti border carved on lower part of box. Length 4 inches. Colombo Museum collection.
18. Folding knife, horn handle. Length of handle 4 1/4 inches. Colombo Museum collection.