warunaantiques

06/10/2026

Dutch Textile Trade in Sri Lanka

In the 17th century, textiles were a major part of the Dutch VOC trade in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The VOC imported cotton and silk fabrics from India’s Coromandel and Malabar coasts through Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna. Textiles and rice were important imports.
After taking control of the maritime areas in 1658, the Dutch introduced strict controls over the textile trade. Indian textiles were often hand-painted and dyed with natural dyes, such as indigo for blue and madder root for red and pink. These colourful fabrics became highly valued in Sri Lanka.

14/09/2026

In the historical farming practices of the upcountry region(such as Uda Dumbara),Kohomba Poruwa refers to a symbolic agricultural or drawing used on the traditional threshing floor(Kamatha).Before threshing rice paddy,farmers drew concentric ash circles,sacred foot prints,sun and the moon on the wood.
The sacred foot prints and geometric blocks are meant to ward off negative forces & evil spirits.
The farmers believe drawings of Sun & Moon would bring prosperity to bumper the harvest.

07/09/2026

“Pa Thatiya”(Traditional Sri Lankan Water Clock)

The term “pay thatiya” refers to the “Ghatika Yanthra” the traditional ancient Sri Lankan water clock consisting of a small vessel with a perforated bottom that sinks into a larger basin of water.The sinking time of the bowl is 24 minutes and considered as one hour as per ancient Sri Lankan times.
Buddhist Monks used it to ensure precise timing for canonical hours such as periods of chanting,meditation and community gatherings.
For Ayurveda medicine preperators,the clock was essential for monitoring the exact duration needed for boiling herbs .
Astrologers relied on it to calculate precise planetary alignments.

26/08/2026

Talipot palm leaf & Iron stylus

The raw material for the talipot palm leaf taken from the palmyra palm tree.Leaves are cut during specific lunar phrases also leaves an extensive,scientifically-grounded preservation process before they can be written on.

To write on the palm leaf scribes use Panhinda(a sharp iron stylus) to physically incise the letters in to the service.Once the texts are fully incised,the script remains practically invisible. To make the text legible,the scribe performs a blackening process call 'kalumedeema'.A natural ink paste is prepared using and charcoal from gun powder tree and mix with coconut oil.Sinhala letters involved into there distinctly circular shapes because straight lines would tear along the natural grain of the leaf.

19/08/2026

'Lion vehicle of Hindu god'

In Hindu mythology,a lion is often depicted as the vehicle of the goddess Durga,a powerful and fierce deity known for her strength &Valor.The lion symbolizes courage,power and ferocity, attributes that are also associated with goddess Durga

'Kamadenu'

Kamadenu also known 'surabhi' is a divine bovine goddess describe in Hinduism as the the mother of old cows

25/06/2026

19th century puppet mask from Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

These masks are wooden Marionettes operated by strings used to narrate Buddhist Jathaka stories in Wesak festival.

Authentic pieces from this era were meticulously hand-carved from light, balsa-like Kaduru wood , smoke-dried for seasoning , and painted in vivid colours.

DM us for more information and viewings of our mask collection.

17/06/2026

Bronze and gold plated Stupa from Kandy.

This 18th-century Kandyan stupa (reliquary) is a masterclass in Sri Lankan metalwork. Cast in bronze and overlaid with a layer of gold, these portable shrines were designed to hold sacred relics, serve as votive offerings, and act as deeply revered objects for monastic and home meditation.

The last period of independent Sri Lankan monarchy was known as the Kandyan Period (1480–1815). Under royal support, metal and craftsmanship flourished as colossal architecture slowed down.

Contact us for more details :
+94 777710013/ +94814470925
[email protected]

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

The Mirror Lady or Lady with the Mirror, most famously refers to Darpana Sundari, an iconic 12th-century stone sculpture.
A masterpiece of Hoysala architecture, it depicts a celestial maiden (apsara) elegantly gazing into a mirror as she prepares for a dance performance.

This statue is a reproduction made from hollow casting in bronze.

We offer a collection of statues in bronze, copper, brass and wood.

Contact us for more details:
+94 777710013/ +94814470925
[email protected]

05/06/2026

Collection of masks from the Southern province of Sri Lanka.
1920th Century.
These masks were used in dances and healing ceremonies.

For more information you can reach us via direct message or via the contacts below
+94 777710013/ +94814470925
[email protected]