The Intricacies of Sri Lanka’s Brass Craftsmanship

Tracing back to the ancient Aryans (200 BC), brass was brought to Sri Lanka amongst other traditional industries from India. It’s said that brass came to be a prominent metal after the Dutch occupation in the 17th century, after Angulmadua, a small village started producing brass products. The Dutch wanted brass products for horse-drawn carriages and the rest is history. 

The abundance of brass artifacts that are showcased in museums provides an insight into how opulent and elegant the era was. Brassware has since been treasured as heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation. Over time, the brass industry flourished and is now a hallmark of Sri Lanka’s heritage.

Sri Lanka’s brassware industry has become an integral part of the country’s culture - famously crafted in communities along the Kandy-Colombo route. Additionally, brass national crafts such as ornaments, musical instruments, antiques, jewelry and more have been exported to various markets all over the globe.

Brass is a precious, but understated beauty. Kudya (derived from the Sanskrit word for curiosity), a contemporary jewelry design studio celebrates the golden toned metal by creating enduring pieces that are made to be cherished and enjoyed.

Founded by the architect Gayathri Lindagedara as a creative outlet to experiment with material and art, Kudya has a focus on design. As Kudya describes, brass has a ‘unique nature to form an antique patina over time, turning its bright gold lustre into beautifully subdued warm gold tones”. Kudya’s designs are made up of primarily brass which allows them to create bold and affordable pieces that can be passed down through generations. Kudya is reimagining traditional brassware to cater to modern tastes with a focus on sustainability and accessibility.

Some of our favorite pieces include;

The Ear Cuff Pair - A part of the Forever Essentials Collection, designed to be timeless and versatile. These are for non-pierced ears and are the perfect compliment for stud earrings.

The Bangle Ripple - Perfect as a statement piece or for stacking! And, it makes for a brilliant staple piece in your jewelry collection.

The Ring Form 3 - Part of the Vertice Collection, this is a playful ring to be worn together in any configuration to create an eye-catching accessory.

These are just a few of Kudya’s stunning designs, you can find the rest on our website.

If you find the shine fading, follow these 3 steps to restore the shine to your exquisite pieces;

1. Soak jewelry in a bowl of warm water, mild dish soap and lemon juice for 5 mins.
2. Give it a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush if needed.
3. Then rinse clean and dry thoroughly.

For a brighter shine, you can also coat jewelry in a paste made of dishwashing powder and lime. Let sit for 10-15 mins and then wash with mild soap, rinse and dry thoroughly.