Entrance to the Nata Dewale Grounds, Kandy
1880
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1880
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows an ornate stone archway leading into a courtyard. The gate is carved with figures and patterns, framed by a lush tropical setting. Two stone lions sit at the base, a common sight at sacred Ceylonese sites. The shrine behind the gate was used for royal ceremonies in Kandy. It’s linked to Natha, a local Buddhist deity tied to protection and good fortune. The photo style blends British colonial records with Ceylonese tradition. Look up Scowen & Co. (British, active Ceylon, 1876–1895).
