Sri Lankan Arts and Crafts

Sri Lankan Arts and Crafts

Handicrafts

Objects carved in wood, made of brass and silver, decorated with lacquer, hand woven cloth and lace, beautiful reed mats, attractive batiks, pottery, masks, are among the handicraft items made by the traditional craftsman of Sri Lanka. These are available in the government handicraft emporium called ‘Laksala’ in Colombo and its branches in major outstation cities and towns and in numerous privately owned handicraft shops.

Wood Craving

Wood craving is practiced by traditional craftsman in the Kandiyan region and Gall. Religious and secular objects, household articles, figurines, wall decorations are among the several items carved in wood. The art is even extended to decorating doorways, pillars, doors and windows of places of worship. Moratuwa, suburb of Colombo is well known for wooden furniture.

Lacquer Work

This is a skilled craft practiced in the Kandiyan region by traditional craftsman. Lac workers in the Kandiyan region adopt the finger nail technique which is a unique style in creating patterns on item like ash trays, teapots, ornamental pots, jeweler’s boxes which are collectors’ items. (Suggest illustrations: Lacquer items).

Brassware and Silverware

Traditional brass products are commonly used as decorative items in Sri Lankan homes. These include oil lamps, trays, wall plaques; lamp stands statuettes, ornamental figurines, vases, letter openers and trays, serviette holders, cigarette tins and match box holders among many other articles. Silver is used in marketing more expensive objects like tea services, jewellery cases, trays, cutlery and other utility items.

Batik

Colorful, dramatic fabrics designer garments in a wax resist dyeing technique of Indonesian origin but distinctly Sri Lankan design. The batik tradition based on the cultural tradition of Sri Lanka. There are vivid colorful batik styles in Sri Lanka. There are Batik cloths, scarfs; wall hangings made the men and women make the batik items in rural areas.