Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815)

Sri Lanka, Kandy district

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 242

This portrait of the last Kandyan king shows him displaying his regalia: the six-pointed crown, a long shirt (kamisiya), a tunic (bo-hettya), and a cape (mante), over which hangs a floral pendant. The hand gestures mimic those of the Buddha: one raised, the other lowered and holding the robe. Such portraits are rare and were probably produced as presentation gifts for visiting diplomats.

Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815), Ivory with engraved and painted design, Sri Lanka, Kandy district

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Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815), Ivory with engraved and painted design, Sri Lanka, Kandy district
Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815), Ivory with engraved and painted design, Sri Lanka, Kandy district
Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815), Ivory with engraved and painted design, Sri Lanka, Kandy district
Portrait of the Sinhalese King Sri Vikrama Raja Sinha (r. 1798–1815), Ivory with engraved and painted design, Sri Lanka, Kandy district

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