An early 20^th century Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) unmarked silver scroll holder upon stand, Kandy dated 1936

Of cylindrical form with domed caps to each end, one pull-off, with a chain attachment. The body with chased decoration of foliate scrolls and rosettes, centred with rectangular cartouche with two hamsa ducks flanked by two Sinha (lion with sword) Royal emblem of the Kings of Kandy, also with two hamsa ducks flanked by two elephants. The cartouche flanked by two roundels, one embossed with an elephant with palm trees, the other with Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth), each flanked by two hamsa ducks. The cartouche with engraved presentation inscription reading “Presented to R. D. Morrison Esq. C.A by the staff of James Finlay & Co Limited. Colombo 4^th March 1936”. Housed on a wooden stand, the base with carved trailing animals, the supports topped with silver finials of Sinha.

Scroll holder length – 41.5 cm / 16.3 inches

Weight – 864 grams / 27.78 ozt

Scroll holder length – 41.2 cm / 16.65 inches

R. D. Morrison (b.1891-?) seems to have arrived in Colombo as a merchant at least by 1919 having been born in Lochbrae, Glasgow. James Finlay & Co was a Scottish textile and tea firm, Colombo being one of their branches like Karachi, Chittagong Bombay, and Calcutta.

Another Kandy scroll holder was sold these rooms, 3 March 2022, lot 98 (£875 incl. prem)