Treasures

These represent our Heritage as is found in many countries aboard inc 27 European nations, Museums and private collections.


Polonnaruva period (1070–1200), Gilt Bronze. In the met museum in USA.	The 563-carat “Star of India” sapphire, which is the largest and most famous star sapphire in the world is also of Sri Lankan origin, and it is in respect of this stone that Sir Arthur C. Clarke, made his comments in his epilogue to Rolof Beny’s Island Ceylon, “and by some distressing impertinence the splendid star sapphire which is one of the glories of the American Museum of Natural History’s gem collection is called the Star of India - not as it should be - the Star of Ceylon.”	The “Star of Bombay” is a remarkable and splendid star sapphire owned by the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution, which as the eminent Space Scientist and futurologist Sir Arthur C. Clarke said, had by some distressing impertinence been referred to as the “Star of Bombay” instead of being called the “Star of Ceylon,” or the “Star of Sri Lanka”, names reflecting the actual country of origin of the rare and enormous gemstone.

Found between Trincomalee and Batticaloa, Sri Lanka 8th century AD. This is Gilt Bronze. This image is of the popular Buddhist goddess, Tara, the consort of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. This is now in the British Museum, unfortunately Colombo only has a copy	This is from the Maha Nuwera era 18thCentury. Its Silver and Gilt Bronze. This is also found in the British Museum.	This is one of the gifts given to the Portuguese by the kings kotte in the 1600's. It looks amazing, been made out ivory and covered in artwork and gold/gems. The side panels are there too. These are in the Lisbon National Museum.

This sinhala sword and sheath, show the skill of an extraordinary craftsmen. Look how the handle match's even the lion flag of this group. Its from 17thCentury and is another item found in the Dutch National Museum.		This is a model in gold of a sinhala cannon, this is from 17thCentury and is found in the Dutch National Museum.


Rare Bronze Buddha figure of size 15 cm, 5 7/8 in from Polonnaurwa period. Sold at Sotheby's 08/12/08 for 15,000Eur. 10TH-11TH CENTURY	Buddha Gilt copper alloy Kandy Period Been sold on 18 Mar 09 10:00 AM New York	An Indo-Portugese ivory casket Sri Lanka, 17th century 20.4cm.

THREE SRI LANKAN FIGURES, 19TH CENTURY Lot Sold. Sold at Sotheby's for 4,800 GBP. Scholars have identified various Kings depicted in the Kolam masks, one of which is known as the Ingirisi Rajjuruvo the 'English King'. This may be in reference to some of the faces of the local kings being modelled on foreign rulers whose appearance were known to the Sri Lankan craftsmen.	A Sinhalese ivory casket Sri Lanka, circa 17th century Sold at Sotheby's for 6,960 GBP .	A FINE AND RARE CARVED IVORY POWDER HORN, SRI LANKA, 17TH-18TH CENTURY Lot Sold 12cm.

BUDDHA GILT COPPER SRI LANKA, LATE ANURADHAPURA PERIOD Lot Sold. Sold at Sotheby's for 6,600 USD. circa 10th Century	FAN HANDLE AND CHARPOY LEG IVORY AND POLYCHROME SRI LANKA. 19TH CENTURY. Lot Sold. Sold at Sotheby's for 3,286 USD.	A FINE CEYLONESE GOLD-FOILED SILVER-MOUNTED TORTOISESHELL BOX, SRI LANKA, 16TH-17TH CENTURY Lot Sold 16cm. diam.

FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN CEYLON AND THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN THE SINHALA LANGUAGE. The Dutch took possession of the maritime provinces of Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) in 1640. The Dutch published this, the first book, on 6th September 1737 in the Sinhala Language. Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $57,600.	A bronze figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura Period, 8th/9th century Sold at Christies for $16,250.	Sri lanka bronze buddha, a tibetan gilt-bronze vajrapani and a gandhara schist stele of pancika 14th, 15th and 2nd/3rd century. Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for €940.

A Small Gold Stupa Sri Lanka, circa 3rd Century Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $4,830.	A SILVER GILT SHORT SWORD, 19TH CENTURY Sold at Christies for £1,320.	A Large Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Shakyamuni Sri Lanka, Kandyan Period, 18th Century 17½ in. (44.5 cm.) high Sold at Christies for $64,625.

A Rare Bronze Ceremonial Vessel SRI LANKA, ANURADHAPURA PERIOD, CIRCA 5TH CENTURY 4¼ in. (10.7 cm.) high Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $9,560.	A Large Solid Cast Gilt Bronze Figure Sri Lanka, Kandyan Period, 18th Century 21 7/8 in. (55.5 cm.) high Sold at Christies for $107,550.	A Bronze Figure of Buddha Shakyamuni Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura Period, 8th/9th Century 4 1/8 in. (10.2 cm.) high Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $8,225.

A gilt bronze figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, 17th/18th Century Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $34,500.	A Sri Lanka, Anuraddhapura style, gilt bronze figure of Buddha Sakyamuni. 9th/10th century Sold at Christies for €8,365.	A Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, Late Anuradhapura Period, circa 10th Century Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for €8,365.

A Bronze Figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, Kandyan Period, 18th Century Sold at Christies for $28,800.	A GEM-SET GOLD MOUNTED IVORY MODEL OF ELEPHANT, SRI LANKA, 19TH/20THCENTURY Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for £1,020.	A silver and gold inlaid betel nut cutter, Sri Lanka, 18th Century The iron cutters in the form of a mythical bird, decorated all over with floral designs -- 9 5/8in. (24.5cm.) long. Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for £4,183.

An Important Marble Figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura Period, 6th/7th Century 29½ in. (74.5 cm.) high Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $186,700.	A SINHALESE CARVED IVORY CABINET SRI LANKA, MID 17TH CENTURY Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for £28,800.	A Rare Bronze Figure of Tara Sri Lanka, circa 11th Century Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $4,780.

An Ivory Fish-Form Game, Olinda Kaliya** Sri Lanka, 18th/19th Century 19½ in. (49.2 cm.) long	A Gilt Bronze Figure of Buddha Sri Lanka, Polonnaruva Period, 11th Century Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for $28,680.	A Sri-Lankan miniature ivory model of a shrine 19th Century 5/8in. (16.8cm.) high

A SMALL SINHALESE GOULD MOUNT KNIFE, 18TH CENTURY 6 1/2in (16.5cm) long Lot Sold. Sold at Christies for £1,125.

The pieces auctioned by Sotheby's and Christies, can be found on their websites.