THE SURIYAKANTHA CURATED COLLECTION
A Celebration of The World’s Cultures
Suriyakantha Curated Collection | © - Suriyakantha CAC (Pvt. Ltd)
Assembled by founders Rohan de Silva and Dr. Jacques Soulié, the estate’s eclectic holdings—period furniture, rare manuscripts, cartographic treasures, photographs, and vintage postcards—unfold as a refined narrative of the enduring conversation between East and West.
Set in the verdant heart of Udunuwara, a region rich in history and culture, Suriyakantha preserves the spirit of its past while welcoming today’s visitor in contemporary comfort, with modern amenities (Wi-Fi, audioguide, screening room, etc.).
Visual Arts
The Centre’s Visual Arts Collection, assembled in Paris during the latter half of the 20th century, is composed of two principal elements. The first is a remarkable set of historical photographs, illustrating the formative years of photography as an art form in the late 19th century. These images capture not only moments in time, but also the early aesthetic ambitions of a medium still defining itself.
The second component comprises postcards and engravings gathered over decades from auctions, flea markets, and private collections across Europe. Many of these works depict Sri Lanka—then Ceylon—through the eyes of travellers, artists, and publishers, reflecting a rich visual dialogue between East and West. Together, they chart the evolution of cultural perception, representation, and exchange, serving as an invaluable record of the island’s place in the global imagination.
To this predominantly Western collection is added a group of local paintings, assembled over the course of three decades. These canvases bear witness to the vitality of Sri Lanka’s artistic scene from the 1990s to the 2010s and reflect an enlightened eclecticism, where traditional Kandyan motifs mingle with more modern and experimental approaches.
Dive Deeper
- The Kandyan Period Frescoes – A Window into Sri Lanka’s Sacred Art
- Tabbova–Maradanmaduva Terracotta Figurines
Suriyakantha Curated Collection | © - Suriyakantha CAC (Pvt. Ltd)
Folk Art
Over more than 25 years, the Suriyakantha has pursued a patient and methodical exploration of Sri Lanka’s folk traditions, travelling to villages, markets, and craft workshops across the island. This dedication has yielded a rare and cohesive folk art collection, representing both the utilitarian and the ceremonial dimensions of daily life.
These handcrafted objects—ranging from intricately carved wooden utensils to vibrantly painted ritual masks—are infused with the customs, beliefs, and creative ingenuity of the communities that produced them. They stand as tangible witnesses to a world where beauty was woven into function and artistry into daily life, touched by a hint of mystery and magic.
In an age of mass production, such authentic works have become increasingly scarce, making their preservation all the more vital.
Dive Deeper
Suriyakantha Curated Collection | © - Suriyakantha CAC (Pvt. Ltd)
Books & Documentation
The Centre’s library and archives are the fruit of more than 50 years of meticulous and deliberate collecting. The holdings include rare original editions, specialist studies, and illustrated volumes of historical and artistic significance. Particularly noteworthy is a small but distinguished group of original ola leaf manuscripts, handwritten on preserved palm leaves—a traditional medium of knowledge in South and Southeast Asia. These treasures, alongside the archival documentation, provide an unparalleled foundation for scholarly research and cultural discovery.
Dive Deeper
- Ola Leaf Manuscripts – Sri Lanka’s Palm-Leaf Literary Heritage
- How Suriyakantha’s Archives Helped Restore the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
Suriyakantha Curated Collection | © - Suriyakantha CAC (Pvt. Ltd)
Traditional Furniture
The traditional furniture collection of the Suriyakantha Centre offers a rare glimpse into the elegance, craftsmanship, and social customs of historic Ceylonese households. Each piece is both a functional object and a work of art, shaped by master artisans who understood the harmony between utility and beauty. Crafted primarily from richly grained hardwoods such as jak, teak, and nadun, these furnishings were built to last for generations, their forms reflecting both indigenous aesthetics and the nuanced influence of European design during the colonial era.
Together, they speak of a domestic culture in which furniture was not merely utilitarian, but a marker of social standing, a gesture of hospitality, and a testament to the artistry of Ceylonese woodcraft. In safeguarding these pieces, the Centre preserves not only rare examples of traditional joinery and ornamentation, but also the intangible stories of the homes and families they once served.
Dive Deeper
Suriyakantha Curated Collection | © - Suriyakantha CAC (Pvt. Ltd)