A bullock cart or ox cart (sometimes called a bullock carriage when carrying people in particular) is a two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle pulled by oxen. It is a means of transportation used since ancient times in many parts of the world. They are still used today where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure favor them.

Used especially for carrying goods, the bullock cart is pulled by one or several oxen. The cart is attached to an ox team by a special chain attached to yokes, but a rope may also be used for one or two animals. The driver and any other passengers sit on the front of the cart, while load is placed in the back. Traditionally, the cargo was usually agrarian goods and lumber.

Wooden Masks and ornaments are produced in the South western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. The city of South costal has a long heritage in the specialized handicraft of producing Wooden mask & ornaments. Wooden crafts in a wide range of sizes in vibrant colors are made of the timber locally called “Kaluwara”  (Ebony), Mahogainy (Rose wood) or ‘Kaduru”.  Kaduru tree that grows in marshy lands bordering paddy fields is light and soft making it an ideal material to turn out wooden handy crafts.  Mahoginy (Rose wood) and Kaluwara (Ebony) are expensive wood and it is a special wood.

The technique of producing masks has been passed from generation to generation from the ancient times. The logs are dried in the hard tropical sun till the timber is evaporated the moisture and then cut into pieces of the required sizes.

Then the basic shape of the craft is fashioned by means of chisels and mallets out of the cut piece of the log accordingly to the measurements given in ancient recorded instructions of seasoning the timber. The seasoned piece of timber is carved, smoothened and painted. The Wooden craft has it’s each with its distinctive features and colors, are carved to depict gods, humans, demons and beasts.

Carved wooden furniture and household items is also a popular buy amongst locals and foreigners alike.                                          

The masks displayed here are modern, carved from a soft wood that is similar to balsa wood.

Made out of Sri Lankan fine wood.

Dimensions (inch) (W x H):  6  x  11