72 
SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
The bronzes which have been rescued from the disaster of Dondra 
are all miniatures, and should be associated with the so-called Hindu 
emblems which have been described above. They include seven 
bronze elephants of three sizes, well executed, the largest barely 
2 in. high (X 109/115-181) ; three lions; three horses, the largest 
1J in. high. ; one bull, 1J in. ; six homunculi ; a bronze bottle, 
1 \ in. high; a conch shell, 2J- in. long ; miniature chatties ; and a 
few other articles. Some of these things may have partaken of the 
nature of toys without being divested of a religious significance. 
A great annual religious fair is still held at Dondra, at which forms 
of animals crudely modelled in pottery are sold for the delectation 
of the young. The age of bronze and copper has given way to 
that of brass and unglazed pottery. 
The miniature bronzes of Dondra, Sigiriya, and Anuradhapura 
are no less interesting in their way than the massive and ornate 
productions of Polonnaruwa. By this it is not intended to touch 
the question as to where any of these bronzes were actually cast. 
All that concerns us here is the places where they have been found, 
and where they have lain buried for centuries. 
Kurunegala Bronzes. 
These appear to have been sent to the Museum about the year 
1887 by Sir Frederick Saunders. 
1. Large bronze tripod, two legs broken, nearly 8 in. high, 10J 
in. across the top. It bears a general resemblance to the tripod 
(No. 5) contained in the third collection from Polonnaruwa (a.b. 1-83). 
2. The top of a similar tripod (marked a.b. 4-83), 10 in. across, 
with the ornate terminals of the feet remaining, may also have come 
from Kurunegala, but the record is lost. 
3. Drinking vessel, or kothali , somewhat broken, 5J in. high, 
about 4 in. across the bowl, with a greenish lustre (a.b. 13-84). 
4-10. Seven bronze stirrups, one of which has a rectangular base, 
the others are round. Unluckily there is nothing further recorded 
about them (X 60/66-169). 
11. Figure of Krishna in kneeling attitude, holding a toy in right 
hand, 3 in. high (X 108-181). 
For further information about the history of Kurunegala, reference 
may be made to Simon Casie Chitty’s “ Ceylon Gazetteer,” 1834, 
pp. 145-148. 
Muniseram Bronzes. 
Muniseram is not mentioned by Sir Emerson Tennent. Some 
notable bronzes have been found there, for which the Museum was 
again indebted to Sir Frederick Saunders. 
A three-branched candelabra, 18 in. high, and a cresset in the 
Grecian style, with handle, bowl, and spout, in all 14f in. long 
