Kandyan jewellery

It carries symbols of wealth, prosperity, grandeur, strength, well-being, solidarity, virtue, passion and valour.

This tradition is still prevalent today to a certain degree through the practice of noble Kandyan families passing down their jewellery from one generation to another, from mother to daughter at weddings as part of dowry.

Most of these jewellery items were made using five types of metals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, brass.

Their customs and traditional habits are still preserved to a great extent with families giving parents and their elders an important role to play.

In many ways their lives are unaffected by the rest of the world as they continue to follow Avurudu and prehera (king's parade) in August where you can see these jewellery items being displayed.

Due to its historical importance, Kandyan jewellery is highly priced and is at the heart of Ceylonese culture representing the glorious times of the Raja (Kings).

Some of the old Kandyan families still living today include Angammana, Daulagala, Wattarantenne, Ellwela, Nugawela, Nugapitiya, Ratwatta, Halangoda, Weragama, Menikdiwela, Delpitiya, Palipane, Kobbekaduwe, Molamure, Muttettuwegama, Aluvihare, Hulangamuwa, Tenne, Galagoda, Lenawala, Mampitiya, Rambukwelle, Mediwake, Meegastenne, Amunugama, Mollagoda, Molligoda, Panebokke, Dunuwilla and Madugalle.