Metal work Utilizing gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, iron and various alloys, Sri Lanka goes back centuries into its history of marvelous metalwork, with the national museum housing some metal articles that date to 2,000 years ago. Gold and silver though usually restricted in those days for three purposes - royalty, religion and the ruling class, is now the adornment of nearly every Sri Lankan woman (and man). Gold jewellery is the specialty in Pettah and Galle, for those who like this precious metal with intricate work or precious stones. Silver, the favourite medium of filigree artisans, are generally in the form of necklaces and bracelets, serving trays, candelabra, tea sets, spoons and a wide variety of other ornamental items and even some very European inspired silver plated pieces. Brass is the most common ornamental metal and is excellent in castwork, cutwork or repousse (all three metals of gold, silver and brass is used in this metalwork). The castings, done in by the lost wax method where a full size model is sculpted in wax, covered with clay and baked to form a mould, includes elephant,s Buddha images, huge standing lamps, bowls, trays and candlesticks. BACK