Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c9.24

c9.24

*Rewards* Amongst the rewards and marks of favour bestowed by the Kings on artificers, were portions of the royal dress; when the Gaṅgārāma Vihāra was completed an entire costume was presented. In the ordinary way no one would have been allowed to wear such garments, the sumptuary laws being very definite; but probably the smiths could use them as the *kumāra eṇḍuma* at *netra maṅgalya* (see Appendix to this Chapter); in the meanwhile these gifts were, and still are in a few cases, greatly treasured. It is also said that the maker of the crown might try it on his own head; which would have been horrible treason for any other to do. The *paṭabeṇḍi* decoration was sometimes conferred on eminent craftsmen; it was a *paṭa-tahaḍuva* or gold frontlet, tied on by the king himself as a mark of honour.