Handycrafts

Wood Carving

Wood carving in the Kandyan region originated in architecture with wooden pillars, roofs, doors, windows, door-bolts and even wooden bridges being decorated with finely carved traditional designs. Those who visit Kandy Sri Lanka and are interested in purchasing what is available in the market today would be pleased to learn that the modern artifacts are produced without prejudice to the traditional styles of carving. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the present generation creates many beautiful objects of art such as trays, wall plaques and figurines both secular and religions.

Sesath Work

The term Sesath refers to a type of sunshade and the Sesath work is of great artistic and cultural value while also being unique to Sri Lanka. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that Sesath are used on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of dignity and as an item of interior decor in residences.

Leather Products

Although the production of Leather goods has not been a traditional Kandyan handicraft, when you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the craftsmen have risen to the challenge of catering to contemporary demand. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that there are a number of talented craftsmen in the region who produce high quality ladies’ hand bags, wallets, belts etc. with embossed traditional and modern designs.

Lacquer Work

Lacquer work originated by the demand to decorate the arrowshafts, flag staves, bed-legs and walking sticks for the nobility. Although most of these items are not in use now, when you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the tradition of laquer work is kept alive by the present generation of craftsmen produce several other articles such as Sesath staves ash trays jewellery boxes, along with stands for flower pots etc.

Brass, Silver and mixed metal work

Much to the delight of those who visit Kandy Sri Lanka, brass, silver and mixed metal work are freely available for purchase to tourists. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the variety of items produced display a unique cultural identity. Apart from the traditional items such as oil lamps, trays, bowls vases, spittoons, when you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that there are recent additions such as ash trays, mirror frames, serviette rings, letter openers and letter holders. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that silver is used in crafting the more expensive items such as jewellery, jewellery boxes, tea sets, trays, bottle openers, candle holders and various cutlery items such as spoons, bowls etc. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that items made of copper and brass are also plated with silver or gold or anodized.

Kandyan Jewellery

Those who visit Kandy Sri Lanka and observe its cultural heritage would soon note that jewellery had, in the ancient times, been worn by both men and women. Thus when you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that Kandyan jewellery has a complete range of head to foot ornaments including chains, pendants, waist chains and rings worn by men and earrings, chains, bracelets and rings etc. worn by women. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that a traditional Kandyan bride’s attire includes a costume bedecked with the full array of jewellery, including 7 necklaces. Kandyan Jewellery is unique in style and design and bear the half mark of traditional Kandyan master craftsmen.

Reed Ware

When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that craftsmen and mainly craftswomen, in the Kandyan region specialize in producing utility household articles from Vetake, Pung or Tala leaf from a locally grown variety of a palm tree. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the range of items produced from reed ware includes mats, shopping bags, food baskets, grain storage bags etc.

Dumbara Mats

When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that using the locally grown hemp known as “Hana”, mat weavers from the Kandy District practice this singular style of mat weaving. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that the fiber extracted from the leaf of this plant is first processed and dyed to enable the weaving of colorful mats and wall hangings. When you visit Kandy Sri Lanka you will find that these end up producing gaily decorated work with stylized floral, animal and geometrical patterns preserved through generations of craftsmen. While using the traditional designs and motifs, the new generation of craftsmen have ventured into other products by diversifying their work to include cushion covers, hand bags, shopping bags, letter holders, fans, screens etc. to meet the demands of the contemporary society, as well as tourists who visit Kandy Sri Lanka.