Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand

Malay Silver and Gold is the first book on this topic in over a hundred years, restoring the Malays to the center of their region's commercial history and material culture. It features hundreds of beautiful photographs and outstanding research, telling the story of the silver and gold items fashioned by Malay artisans and the Malay peoples themselves. It also identifies previously unrecognised gold items made by the Malays for the 18th century European market and shows how 19th century collecting and colonialism distorted our view of Malay gold and silver today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2024
Publisher: River Books

This magnificent and eye-opening contribution, with its hundreds of beautiful photographs and outstanding research, tells not only the story of the silver and gold items fashioned by Malay artisans but also the Malay peoples themselves. Seif El Rashidi, an Islamic scholar, author, and Director of the Barakat Trust, has praised the book for its chronology and place production, leading to a more nuanced understanding of developments across Southeast Asia. The exciting findings include the identification of certain exquisite gold filigree pieces held in august collections worldwide. Annabel Teh Gallop, Head of the Southeast Asia Department at the British Library, has also praised the book for its comprehensive coverage of the silver and gold ware of the Malay people of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand, and Brunei. The book is ideal for collectors and curators, with hundreds of colour photographs of previously unpublished items and meticulous research used to tell the story of Malay gold and silver, as well as that of the Malay people, with reference to their princely regalia, banqueting items, betel sets, jewellery, silver and gold-encased weapons, and other items of adornment and finery. In addition, previously unrecognised gold items made by the Malays for the 18th century European market are identified, and other items of silverware now in museum collections and believed to be Malay are shown not to be. Michael Backman also shows how 19th century collecting for museums and private collections, and the subsequent dispersal of these items, has contributed to the understanding of Malay silver and gold.

Dimension: 280 x 215 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9786164510777