Sri Lanka's ancient and unique heritage of traditional arts and crafts is one of its main attractions for foreign visitors. The uniqueness is that the local crafts are hand-made, each bearing an individual stamp of its creator.
These skills and ancient workmanship can be seen in the intricate designs on jewelry, the delicate filigree, work of silversmiths, the elaborate and striking art work on wood and clay, and the traditional motifs of the swan, peacock, deer, designs which are reminders of the times when their ancestors - skilled artisans - were employed by kings to create masterpieces of art for the palaces they lived in and at the temples where they worshipped.
Batik: An ancient Sri Lankan art available in ready-to-wear clothes, scarves, wall hangings, sarees, sarongs, etc. Available in lengths too.
Handlooms: A wide range of household linen, soft furnishings, lengths of fabric, ready to wear clothing, sarees etc. in a variety of weaves and colors.
Brass: One of the best buys here, Urns, vases, trays and dishes, wrought, cast or inlaid with silver & copper.
Silver: Equally fascinating to visitors looking for a gift to take home are silver and brass products that have been painstakingly handcrafted with traditional motifs like the swan, bo leaf and pala pehti designs.
Silverware is a specialty of the Kandyan provinces where silversmiths were hired by the kings long ago to turn out various silver ornament including jewelry. Those designs are still seen on silverware produced by modern-day craftsmen.
Ceramics, Tableware, Ornamental Items & Figurines: Lanka Ceramics Ltd. showrooms at Bambalapitiya, Tel: 589349, sell quality ceramics in various styles and designs. Branch shops at Colombo Airport, Tel: 45235 and Kandy. Tel: 08-23088. Terracotta objects in traditional designs are available generally in plain or openwork designs.
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