A Sinhalese oval openwork ivory box
Sri Lanka, probably Kingdom of Kandy, 2nd half 17th century
The oval box openwork is carved with squirrels amongst vines; in the middle is a kannaris, half-woman, half-bird.
L. 10.1 x H. 4.4 cm
The kinnaris is one of the creatures that inhabit the mythical Himavanta. They are renowned for their dance, song, and poetry and are the traditional symbol of feminine beauty, grace, and accomplishment. On the underside of the box, a Hamsa bird is depicted in the middle among vines. Hamsa is the sacred goose/swan of Hinduism, where it stands for discrimination, being able to drink milk only from a vessel of milk mixed with water. It is regarded as folklore. With these motives, this box may have been a (wedding) present for a woman.
The oval box openwork is carved with squirrels amongst vines; in the middle is a kannaris, half-woman, half-bird.
L. 10.1 x H. 4.4 cm
The kinnaris is one of the creatures that inhabit the mythical Himavanta. They are renowned for their dance, song, and poetry and are the traditional symbol of feminine beauty, grace, and accomplishment. On the underside of the box, a Hamsa bird is depicted in the middle among vines. Hamsa is the sacred goose/swan of Hinduism, where it stands for discrimination, being able to drink milk only from a vessel of milk mixed with water. It is regarded as folklore. With these motives, this box may have been a (wedding) present for a woman.
Part of the Indian Ocean collection.
