Colonial Sri Lankan Silver Bowl
Chased Silver Bowl
Kandy District, Central Sri Lanka
early 20th century
diameter: 23cm, height: 12cm, weight: 942g
This exceptional Sri Lankan bowl, of flattened spherical form, is chased all over with diagonal bands of animals and birds against scrolling foliage. The animals are inspired by those found carved onto moonstones, the half-circle stone steps found at the entrances of many ancient Sri Lankan Buddhist temples and monasteries.
The central frieze is bordered by wide bands of radiating lotus metal motifs. The base is extremely finely engraved with a superb and elaborate
hamsa puttuva motif – four sacred swans with their necks entwined. This is a motif found carved in wood in central Sri Lankan temples and monasteries.
The bowl is in superb condition.
References
Coomaraswamy, A.K., Mediaeval Sinhalese Art, Pantheon Books, 1956 reprint of the 1908 edition.
Provenance
UK art market.
Inventory no.: 2202
SOLD
A moonstone step, photographed at the National Museum, Colombo,.
A hamsa puttuva motif in the ceiling of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy, Sri Lanka.