Traditional Arts & Crafts of Sri Lanka

• Arts & Crafts

Art of Sri Lanka has achieved great heights during the course of history. All the Sri Lankan art forms like dance, music, sculpture, paintings and architecture have enjoyed development. with the influence of Buddhism. Originated religious beliefs of the people is the base of Sri Lanka arts. Every phase in the history of Sri Lanka has added some characteristic elements to it's arts and crafts.

• Wood Carving

Handicraft of woodcarving in Sri Lanka has a long history. The tradition of woodcarving in Sri Lanka is visible at Lankatilaka Temple and Ambakka Devale at Kandy. At these temples, miniature replicas of the low-relief wood carving done by the traditional woodcarvers can be bought at fair prices. The three dimensional carvings of ebony Elephants, Buddha are popular in Sri Lanka.Wood-carved decorative panels are used widely in Sri Lanka in the trade of interior decoration too.

A wide range of handicraft items made of wood combine utility and beauty adding elegance to your lifestyle, such as wall hangings, fancy jewellery, figurines, sculpture, lacquer products, gift boxes, toys, educational items for pre-school children, household items are some of the woodcraft items produced in Sri Lanka.

• Brassware

Brassware is produced in two main techniques: wrought and cast. Bowls, tea services, trays, and ornamental ware as well as decorative ware are produced in wrought technique.

• Metal Cut work

Handicraft of metal cutwork involves cutting the design onto a flat sheet of metal first and embellishing the work by engraving, hatching or Repose secondly. This method is adopted mainly in production of metalwork such as trays and plaques. In Repose method, the desired pattern is hammered in on the reverse side so that the relief carvings emerge on the front side. Repose metalwork is the most characteristic type of Sri Lankan metalwork. This method is applied on brass, copper, silver, or all three together to create a variety of traditional designs.

• Lace making

Lace making is not an indigenous art that was pioneered by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It began in the South-western coastal areas, especially around Galle and was practiced by the Dutch ladies during the Dutch colonial era. Later the Sinhalese ladies caught on Lace making and established a handicraft in south western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. During the 19th century, when Galle sea-port was in its heyday, lace products of the South-western coastal belt arose to outstanding heights in popularity. Today lace making is continued mainly by the Sinhalese ladies who inherited the handicraft from their ancestors.
Along Galle, Weligama coastal areas the ladies are seen engaged in lace making-crochet and tatting-in the verandahs of their houses. Among the range of products made with lace making are blouses, table linen, curtains, bed spreads and pillows.