Sri Lankan Mahogany Ceremonial Staff Carved with the Head of a Lion
An Unusual Sri Lankan Mahogany Ceremonial Staff Carved with the Head of a Lion
The shaft finely and profusely decorated with floral motifs, dragon scales and abstract spirals
Kandy period, Late 18th – early 19th Century
Size: 68.5cm long – 34¼ ins long
The shaft finely and profusely decorated with floral motifs, dragon scales and abstract spirals
Kandy period, Late 18th – early 19th Century
Size: 68.5cm long – 34¼ ins long
Sri Lanka and its surrounding sea were for the Portuguese, the Dutch and all other foreigners who visited or tried to dominate the island before or after them, a treasure trove; ' a gift from a divine hand' as Jorge Pinto de Azevedo stated in 1646.
The influence of the Portuguese and the Dutch on Kandyan culture began with the sending of diplomatic gifts to the Kandyan Kings. It was the Dutch representation of the lion which quickly infiltrated Sinhalese wood working traditions with the craftsmen making this animal, previously unknown to them, a particularly Kandyan image.
The influence of the Portuguese and the Dutch on Kandyan culture began with the sending of diplomatic gifts to the Kandyan Kings. It was the Dutch representation of the lion which quickly infiltrated Sinhalese wood working traditions with the craftsmen making this animal, previously unknown to them, a particularly Kandyan image.
Sri Lankan Mahogany Ceremonial Staff Carved with the Head of a Lion
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