Copper.—Copper was equally in demand, but, like silver and gold, it is nowhere alluded to as a production of the island. In ancient, as in modern, times, therefore, the numerous articles formed from this metal were probably imported from India. The renowned Brazen. Palace of Anarajapoora was so named from the quantity of copper used in its construction. Bujas Raja, A.D. 359, covered a building at Attanagalla with "tiles made of copper, and gilt with gold,"[1] and "two boats built of brass," were placed near the Bo-Tree at the capital "to hold food for the priests."[2] Before the Christian era, armour for elephants[3], and vessels of large dimensions, cauldrons[4], and baths[5], were formed of copper. The same material was used for the lamps, goblets[6], kettles, and cooking utensils of the monasteries and wiharas.
1: Rajaratnacari, p. 73.
2: Ibid., p. 60.
3: Rajavali, p. 214.
4: B.C. 204. Rajavali, p. 190.
5: A.D. 1267, Rajartnacari, p. 104.
6: Rajaratnacari, pp. 104, 134.
Bells.—Bells were hung in the palaces[1], and bell-metal is amongst the gifts to the temples recorded on the rock at Pollanarrua, A.D. 1187.[2]
1: Mahawanso, ch. xxi. pp. 128, 129.
2: TURNOUR'S Epitome, &c., Appx. p. 91.