Figure of the Maha Mudaliyar

In addition to royal couples, other court functionaries were carved in ivory. The maha mudaliyar functioned as a link between the Dutch governor on Ceylon and the local inhabitants. His position as an intermediary also emerges from the combination of Sinhalese and European items of clothing. This sculpture may have been inspired by Nicolas Dias Abayasinha Amarasekera (1719-1794), maha mudaliyarr at the court of the governor of Ceylon.

Figure of the Maha Mudaliyar

In addition to royal couples, other court functionaries were carved in ivory. The maha mudaliyar functioned as a link between the Dutch governor on Ceylon and the local inhabitants. His position as an intermediary also emerges from the combination of Sinhalese and European items of clothing. This sculpture may have been inspired by Nicolas Dias Abayasinha Amarasekera (1719-1794), maha mudaliyarr at the court of the governor of Ceylon.