Reviving Handcrafted Jewellery in Sri Lanka
Our Firm Commitment To An Ancient Art On The Verge of Extinction
The island of Sri Lanka is world famous for its natural gemstone deposits and for exporting these precious stones to the rest of the globe. But it also has a time-honoured jewellery tradition of its own that dates right back to Antiquity. However, this trade has not always received the appreciation it deserves, and the island’s precious-metal artisans gradually gave up their craft until, in the last century, it all but disappeared
Sri Lankan precious-metal craftsmanship can be traced back to the jewellery tradition of neighbouring India, which greatly influenced the development of this art in Sri Lanka. The short distance between the two countries, and particularly the former land connection called ‘Adam’s Bridge’ which linked them for much of ancient history, favoured cultural exchange. Known to the native population as ‘Rama’s Bridge’, this natural isthmus, formed by a chain of shoals and sandbanks, joins the region of Tamil Nadu in India with Mannarama to the north-west of Sri Lanka. It was a route that could be crossed on foot when the first Portuguese settlers disembarked in 16th century in what was once called Ceylon. The route, however, was later destroyed by a cyclone in 1480.
A scene from the Ramayana illustrating the legend of how this bridge to Sri Lanka was built.
In the 16th century, when Europeans settled on the island, local goldsmiths learned new jewellery-making techniques such as filigree. Colonisation also brought a whole new repertoire of shapes and forms that were combined with traditional Sri Lankan decorative motifs to make a unique form of jewellery that blended East with West. The result was a seamless mix of modernity and the island’s own age-old tradition.
More recently, after the civil war in the late twentieth century and the tsunami that devastated much of south-east Asia in 2004, the art of handcrafted jewellery was all but abandoned and its techniques largely forgotten. That was when OONA founder and designer María Moro made her first trip to Sri Lanka. What she discovered was a region ravaged by natural disaster, still smarting from the scars inflicted by war. And yet at the same time it was a haven of astounding natural beauty with vast underlying potential.
Fascinated by the country’s unique mix of cultures, the beauty of its landscapes, the colonial architecture remaining in its cities and the character of its people, María chose this magical spot to begin creating her first pieces of jewellery. What started out as a personal design project would eventually plant the seed for a far greater adventure: the launch of her own jewellery brand. From that very moment, María realised that recovering the lost art of the Sri Lankan goldsmith would define our identity. The values of Sri Lanka’s traditional jewellery could not have been more befitting for our concept of luxury, in which premium materials and the appreciation of fine handcrafted work form the core essence of our philosophy.
The values of Sri Lanka’s traditional jewellery could not have been more befitting for our concept of luxury, in which premium materials and the appreciation of fine handcrafted work form the core essence of our philosophy.
Next to the Groote Kerk church, in a humble colonial building with whitewashed walls, one of my favourite places in the city is hidden: the Galle Fort Library. Established in 1832, it’s identified as the first library of the whole country. It houses more tan 8000 ancient books written in different languages and also other curiosities such as the first journal published in Sri Lanka.
The town also has a strong link with literature since it is the heart of Galle Literary Festival, which is held every January in the Fort. Since first launching in 2007, the festival has become one of the most anticipated literary events in Southeast Asia, and each year it welcomes more attendees from all around the world.
The decision to set up a workshop in Galle, employing only native master crafters from the island, enables María to manage every stage of the jewellery creation process, from the choice of precious stones to the final finish, adjusting her designs to the gems used. Each phase of the process is performed by an expert master jeweller: from polishing and cutting the precious stones to setting, inlay and metalworking. It is a privilege for a company like ours, committed to the provenance and authenticity of our creations, to be able to benefit from the experience and dedication of these artisans.
We are keen to contribute to the economic development and growth of the country that inspires us, particularly at this sad time in the wake of the tragic recent attacks. All our designs are made entirely in Sri Lanka because we wish to preserve the country’s rich jewellery heritage and promote the development of local crafts. We seek to regain recognition for an art that lies at the very heart of the identity of both Sri Lanka and OONA.
We are keen to contribute to the economic development and growth of the country that inspires us.
