Around The World - Sri Lanka

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Kandy Shopping

Sri Lanka has plenty of tempting wares to offer for shoppers, and what is best is that there is something to suit virtually every budget. If you have plenty to spend, there’s nothing quite as enticing as Sri Lanka’s precious gemstones , sapphires, rubies, beryls, zircon, quartz and more. Although Kandy & Ratnapura, is the most important gem centre, gemstones are also easily available though usually at a higher price, at other places.

If gems don’t quite fit your pocket or your preferences, there are handicrafts aplenty. Among the most popular are painted wooden ceremonial masks ranging in size from key rings to full, life size ones; batik – an originally Indonesian method of dyeing cloth using wax to create patterns, leather worker (especially bags), lacquer-work, jewellery, coir-ware and earthenware.

Handicrafts: WOOD CARVING"wood carving in the Kandyan region was originally associated with architecture. Wooden pillars, roofs, doors, windows, door-bolts and even wooden bridges were all decorated with finely carved designs.

Modern artefacts are produced without prejudice to the traditional styles of carving. The creations of the present generation include many beautiful objects of art such as trays, wall plaques and figurines both secular and religions.

SESATH WORK:Sesath is a type of sunshade of great artistic and cultural value and unique to Sri Lanka. It is used on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of dignity and as an item of interior decor in residences. Home of the craft is Unaveruwa in Matale.

LEATHER PRODUCTS: Although production of Leather goods has not been a traditional Kandyan handicraft there are a few talented craftsmen in the region who produce high quality ladies hand bags, wallets, belts etc. Embossed with traditional and modern designs, owing to the contemporary demand for such products.

LACQUER WORK: The task of the lacquer worker originally was to decorate the arrow shafts, flag staves, bed - legs and walking sticks, for the nobility. Although most of these items are not in use now, the present generation of craftsmen produce several other articles such as Sesath staves ash trays jewellery boxes stands for flower pots etc. using the age- old techniques.

BRASS, SILVER AND MIXED METAL WORK :The best exponents of the art of brass work are in the Kandy and Matale Districts. The variety of items produced display a unique cultural identity. Other than the traditional items such as oil lamps, trays, bowls vases, spittoons etc. among the recent additions are ash trays, mirror frames, serviette rings, letter openers and letter holders.Silver is used in making expensive utility objects like jewellery jewellery - boxes, tea - sets, trays, bottle - openers, candle - holders and various cutlery items such as spoons, bowls etc.

Articles made of copper and brass are also plated with silver or gold or anodised to prevent tarnishing and to eliminate the need for regular polishing.

Kandyan Jewellery:Kandyan Jewellery, once worn by both men and women carry a complete range of head to foot ornaments. Men usually wore chains, pendants, waist chains and rings and women wore earrings chains bracelets and rings etc.A bride dressed in the traditional Kandyan costume bedecked with the full array of jewellery presents a beautiful sight which is the dream of every Sri Lanka bride groom.Kandyan Jewellery is unique in style and design and bear the half mark of traditional Kandyan master craftsmen.