Thirteen works reveal the craftsmanship, Buddhist devotion and cultural exchange that shaped Kandy. An ivory Buddha, barely 10 inches tall, holds its ground with broad shoulders, a stern expression and carefully carved drapery. The 18th-century sculpture is a highlight of The Art of Kandy: Sri Lanka’s Last Kingdom, now on view at Pasadena’s Norton Simon Museum through Feb. 8, 2027. Exhibition details.
Drawn entirely from the museum’s collection, the exhibition brings together 13 small-scale objects, from ivory sculptures to gem-studded silver. Their intricate surfaces offer a close look at the artisans who worked under royal patronage in Sri Lanka’s central hills.
Kandy remained independent until British annexation in 1815. Though geographically remote, the kingdom sustained connections with South India, Southeast Asia and European trading networks. Those exchanges shaped an artistic tradition that combined local designs with Buddhist and Hindu imagery.
The objects also tell a story about power. Supporting Buddhist art helped kings establish their standing as religious benefactors and reinforce their claims to the throne. Craftsmen working in royal and regional workshops produced pieces that may have served the court or become devotional offerings.
Organized by Assistant Curator Lakshika Senarath Gamage, the intimate presentation rewards a slower look: at the carving, the metalwork and the details through which a kingdom expressed its beliefs. Related programming will include exhibition tours and a traditional Sri Lankan dance performance.
For more information about the exhibit visit nortonsimon.org
Address: Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.
Hours:Open noon–5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Sunday; noon–7 p.m. Friday–Saturday. Closed Tuesday–Wednesday.
Admission: $20 adults; $15 seniors; free for members, students with ID and visitors 18 and younger. Tickets and visitor information.
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of Norton Simon Museum
