Poster Presentation
6. Using the Arts, Media and Culture: Contestations and Collaborations
This academic poster presentation explores the nuanced narrative surrounding cultural ownership and museum practices through the intriguing case of the "Lewke Cannon." Situated at the Rijksmuseum, this small bronze cannon, lavishly adorned with silver, gold, and gemstones, has sparked a compelling journey of cultural heritage between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, tracing back to the mid-17th century. While the cannon's physical origins suggest Amsterdam as its birthplace, its embellishments reveal a unique connection to the hill region of Sri Lanka, meticulously crafted by skilled Sri Lankan silversmiths. The presence of a donator inscription dated 1745 positions this cannon as one of the earliest artefacts embodying the essence of "Kandyan Art" in Sri Lanka. Notably, the gun carriage appears to have been constructed after the cannon's looting during the Kandyan-Dutch war in 1765 by the Dutch army. These intricate motifs on the cannon and carriage evoke a rich tapestry of influences, including "chinoiserie" designs that were en vogue in Portugal, France, and Holland, often inspired by Chinese blue-on-white porcelain from Canton in the 17th century. This poster meticulously juxtaposes the designs adorning the cannon and the gun carriage, revealing a fascinating blend of Asian-Kandyan, Chinese-Qing, and French-Baroque elements, embodied in the form of flowers, birds, and deer. The intriguing journey of the "Lewke Cannon" unfolds a captivating tale of diplomacy, looting in the mid-18th century, and the prospect of repatriation in the year 2023.
Asoka de Zoysa
Samkathana Research Center, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Ganga Rajinee Dissanayaka
General Research and Consultancy., Sri Lanka