Ceylon and the Decorative Arts Trade in the 18th and 19th Centuries

10 products

10 products
Pair of Solid Ebony Ceylonese Carved Candle Stands, circa 1820, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Solid Ebony Ceylonese Carved Candle Stands, circa 1820
Pair of Solid Ebony Ceylonese Carved Candle Stands
19th Century Ceylonese Solid Ebony Sofa, circa 1840, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the 19th Century Ceylonese Solid Ebony Sofa, circa 1840, photographed from another angle
19th Century Ceylonese Solid Ebony Sofa
Ceylonese Writing Table, 19th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Ceylonese Writing Table, 19th-century, photographed from another angle
Ceylonese Writing Table
Anglo Ceylonese Ebony Box / Writing Slope, 19th-century, bone, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Anglo Ceylonese Ebony Box / Writing Slope, 19th-century, bone
Anglo Ceylonese Ebony Box / Writing Slope
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Ceylonese Porcupine Quill and Ebony Box, 19th-century, ebonised and bone, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Ceylonese Porcupine Quill and Ebony Box
£POA
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A Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box, 19th-century, ebony and bone, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
A Ceylonese Porcupine Quill Box
£POA
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Pair Of Ceylonese Solid Ebony Armchairs, circa 1910, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Pair Of Ceylonese Solid Ebony Armchairs
£POA
Set of Six Anglo-Indian Ceylonese Ebony Armchairs, circa 1850, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the set of Six Anglo-Indian Ceylonese Ebony Armchairs, circa 1850
Set of Six Anglo-Indian Ceylonese Ebony Armchairs
£POA
Pair of Anglo-Ceylonese Ebony Open Armchairs, 20th-century, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the pair of Anglo-Ceylonese Ebony Open Armchairs, 20th-century
Pair of Anglo-Ceylonese Ebony Open Armchairs
£POA
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Ceylonese Specimen Wood Occasional Table, circa 1850, ebony, shown in full – Nicholas Wells Antiques
Alternative view of the Ceylonese Specimen Wood Occasional Table, circa 1850, ebony
Ceylonese Specimen Wood Occasional Table
£POA

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Ceylon—modern-day Sri Lanka—played a significant role in the global trade of decorative arts and objects, shaped by its rich artistic heritage and successive waves of European colonial influence.

Colonial Rule and Cultural Exchange

Following the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, Ceylon’s artistic landscape evolved. The British annexation of Kandy in 1815 ended the Kandyan monarchy and incorporated the entire island into the British Empire, ushering in widespread social and cultural change.

Ceylonese artisans began producing furniture, metalwork, lacquerware, and textiles that appealed to colonial tastes, often merging traditional techniques with European and Asian stylistic elements. These hybrid works were traded widely, catering to both local elites and foreign collectors.

Global Trade and Artistic Fusion

Ceylon’s position on maritime trade routes fostered exchanges with China, Japan, and India. This facilitated a cross-cultural blend of materials and motifs—evident in the decorative arts exported to Europe and beyond. The island’s ability to adapt local forms to meet global demand made it an important centre for decorative object production and export.

Ceylon’s decorative arts during the 18th and 19th centuries reflect a unique intersection of local Buddhist traditions and European colonial tastes. This fusion produced distinctive, highly prized objects that found their way into international collections—cementing Ceylon’s legacy as a vital contributor to the global decorative arts trade.
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