Browse Items in Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting (166 total)

Description: This copper plaque is considered a Laksmi plaque, even though the goddess Laksmi is shown without the usual accompanying elephants. The plaque was probably used as currency and was discovered during excavations at the Vijayabahu palace site in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka in 1985. It is presently with the Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: This is an example of the numerous seals of early Sri Lanka, where the female figure is used as a symbol of good fortune. Engraved on carnelian stone of oval shape and found at Kantorodi, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, it may be of early date. The seal is in a private collection, Colombo.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: In Sri Lanka, as in India, the Gajalaksmi is used as an auspicious symbol on the lintels of doors at the main shrine. This stone relief of the Gajalaksmi over the entrance doorway at the Nalanda Gedige in the Matale district, Sri Lanka, belongs to the 8th century A.D.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: This stone carving of Gajalaksmi on a door lintel at the Isurumuniya temple in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, may belong to the latter half of the Anuradhapura period. Although of modest dimensions, its central position on the door frame is noteworthy.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: Belonging to the 12th century is this relief of the Gajalaksmi from Polonnaruva, Sri Lanka. King Nissankamalla thought it auspicious to embellish his ‘Book of stone’ or Galpota, Sri Lanka, with the Gajalaksmi symbol.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: Belonging to the 13th century is this Gajalaksmi motif on a makara arch from Yapahuva, Sri Lanka. Two such stone reliefs flank the main entrance doorway.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: Dating to the 14th century is this Gajalaksmi motif at the centre of the wooden door lintel at Uda Aludeniya temple in Gampola, Sri Lanka.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: A Gajalaksmi relief in stone of the 14th century can be seen at Devundara Devalaya in the Matara district, Sri Lanka.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: A stone doorway of about the 15th century at the Kappagoda Vihare in Mavanella in the Kegalle district, Sri Lanka, carries this Gajalaksmi symbol at the centre of its lintel. Regular whitewashing has given the doorway the appearance of stucco.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Description: Originally found outside the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, this massive 18th century stone arch with the Gajalaksmi motif now lies outside the Archaeological Museum, Kandy, Sri Lanka, separated into 2 parts. This slide was made from a photograph taken at a time when the two pieces were placed together.

Contributor: Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Collection: Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting