Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.70

c7.70

The details of costume and many other matters were regulated by well-defined sumptuary laws. Artificers, according to Knox, wore the same apparel as the goviyō. Of the barbers, both men and women might wear doublets, but not sit on stools. Potters might not wear any doublet, nor the cloth below the knee, or sit on stools. The mal-gaha or flower ornament on the hat, the eight-cornered hat, shoes, stockings, trousers and all regalia such as the sword of state, umbrella of dominion, and royal jewellery none but the king might use. So, too, plastered walls, tiled roofs, finials and two-storied buildings were forbidden to all save the King, temples, and the highest officers. The modes of salutation, and even the language employed, varied according to the rank of the person addressed. Great nicety in the employment of the proper titles for any occasion was used.