2020 Antique Sri Lanka Flag Kalamkari Artwork 1700s

Antique Sri Lankan Flag Kalamkari Masterpiece

This rare hand-painted flag from Ceylon is a cotton textile painted with a central  figure, two planets, an arrangement of circles and a triangle

One interpretation is that this is Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani healing herb. The two planets might be Rahu and Ketu that cast dark powerful shadows onto the fate of the story and must be appeased. The geometric arrangement of the dots likely represent a cosmic or spiritual protective field to ward off evil. Such a flag textile is used to sanctify space and invite divine protection during ceremonies.

The aesthetic quality of this precisely drawn flag with an superbly drawn main figure is far superior to the others seen in the Colombo National Museum. [Museum examples may be seen in this blog here]

Has some text in the blank space in English. "H. Ricart"  This is a handwritten inscription in pencil, placed just below the apex of the red triangular form on the textile. It could be the cataloguer or curator —possibly a European working in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the British colonial period. [The practice of inscribing names or inventory numbers on textiles was typical among European collectors and institutions to denote ownership or for cataloging purposes.]

This masterpiece commands its value through it's monumental drawing, fantastic color and age. 

I was told that this is estimated to be from the 1700s.

The figure is about 60 cm tall and the textile without the backing cloth is about 155 cm x 100 cm

Has repairs and a cloth backing.

The frame has been removed for easy transportation. 

Note that the image of the textile framed and used as wall art is only an illustration for visualisation - it is not the actual textile and the size is not accurately represented. 

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This item has spent a lifetime being used for the purpose of its creation with the original artist/user. Signs of this life lived heartily may be present on the piece in the form of stains, thread loss, loose threads, holes, tears, color run and other imperfections. Therefore the condition must be assumed to be “not” perfect. More photos of such imperfections will be provided on request.