Commemorative dish depicting the fall of the Kingdom of Kandy, c. 1815
Unknown artist, Sri Lankaexpand_more
Brassexpand_more
The Suzanne S. Roberts Fund for Asian Artexpand_more 2019.75
On View in Gallery 211expand_more
The vivid scenes hammered into the surface of this large brass dish commemorate the epic fall of the Kingdom of Kandy (1592–1815), the last independent state in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) to succumb to British Crown rule. The design echoes that of Kandyan mural painting, with events staged in a series of illustrated panels, accompanied by brief descriptions incised in the local language (Sinhalese). Here, the central scene depicts Kandy’s controversial king, Sri Vikrama Raja Simha, enthroned in his palace in full regalia, demanding retribution for the betrayal of his chief minister, Ehelepola, who had defected to the British. On the lower level, the king’s executioner hands the wife a pestle, forcing her to crush her child in a rice pounder. Below that the wife herself is drowned in a lake. On the inner rim, rows of British Calvary led by Sir Robert Brownrigg swiftly defeat Vikrama Raja Sinha’s army.
Created by Kandyan craftsmen, this dish was likely commissioned by and presented to a British official to celebrate a long-sought triumph. The choice of imagery typifies a prevailing tendency of British Crown rule: to further legitimize its claim by publicizing the tyrannical behaviors of so-called “oriental” kings.
Details
- Title
- Commemorative dish depicting the fall of the Kingdom of Kandy
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2019.75
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.