Page 263 - Proceedings book

Mosaic Art in Stūpa Architecture of Sri Lanka

Piyumi Embuldeniya
lecturer, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya
piyumie@arts.pdn.ac.lk

Keywords Abstract

Colonial influence In Sri Lanka, mosaic art is evident in Buddhist temples (Vihāras),
elite residences, administrative buildings, and tombs. This mosaic
Mosaic art art form, which involves decorating a surface with closely placed

Resistance pieces of hard materials, features depictions of animals, flora,
household objects, English letters, numerals, emblems, geometric
Stūpa architecture designs, and decorative motifs. Over the centuries, Sri Lankan

stūpas have evolved to reflect a remarkable fusion of artistic
creativity, architectural ingenuity, and engineering expertise.
Mosaic art can be seen at the image houses, bell towers, and
gateways of Buddhist Vihāra. The main objective of this research
is to examine the involvement of mosaic art in stūpa architecture
of Sri Lanka. Therefore, this research was directed through the
research question of what factors influenced the incorporation of
mosaic art into stūpa architecture in Sri Lanka? Data collection
for this qualitative research was conducted through literature
surveys and field surveys. The data were analyzed using Social
Semiotic Theory. Notable examples of the influence of mosaic
art on stūpa architecture can be observed at the Vijayananda
Vihāra in Galle and the Shailatalarama Vihāra in Kalutara. At the
Vijayananda Vihāra, the stūpa compound, spire (Kotkärälla), and
entrance gateway are adorned with mosaic art. Similarly, at the
Shailatalarama Vihāra, the railing around the stūpa compound is
decorated with mosaic art. This stylistic choice reflects colonial
influence, as mosaic art replaced the ancient form of stūpa
architecture by adding mosaic for stūpa compound instead of
stone-paved compounds (Salapatala Maluva), and decorating the
stūpa spire, railing, and gateway with mosaics. The creation of
mosaic art, often incorporating fragments of ceramic and
porcelain, is a reflective expression of human creativity and
philosophy. This study highlights the significance of material
evidence and iconography in mosaic art, emphasizing its
archaeological values, as mosaic art in Sri Lanka can be seen as a
reflection of the country’s diverse cultural heritage and
influences during the colonial period, and as mosaic art form
became a medium for Buddhists to visually assert resistance and
preserve cultural identity.

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