Women in Sri Lankan Sculpture and Painting

Three women of different social grades

Women--narrative art--Social groups--Sri Lanka

Marble sculpture--Colombo National Museum (Sri Lanka)

In India, narrative sculpture is as old as Buddhist art itself, the impact of which was no doubt felt in Sri Lanka. This marble relief which belongs to the Amaravati art tradition of the early centuries of the Christian era appears to have been imported from India. The plaque was found in 1986 during excavations associated with the Cultural Triangle Project, near the so-called Buddhist Railing site close to the Jetavanarama stupa. The scene, which probably illustrates an episode in the life of Buddha, shows women of 3 different social grades, distinctly recognizable by their dress and functional positions. The plaque is among the exhibits of the National Museum in Colombo.

Sirima Kiribamune

National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka

ca. 2nd century BCE-3rd century CE

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2014

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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