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Lot Essay
This decorative Malaysian box with its mounted gems, floral inspired painting and pucuk rebung (bamboo shoots) motif on the lid indicates that it could have come from the Malay Peninsula where this Islamic combination of forms inspired the regional style. In the exhibition catalogue The Message & the Monsoon: Islamic art of Southeast Asia, it is observed that 'local abstracted patterns such as bamboo shoots, cloud scrolls, star anise and gooseberries found favour in the Islamic design repertoire.' (The Message and the Monsoon: Islamic Art of Southeast Asia, from the collection of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, exhibition catalogue, Kuala Lumpur, 2005, p.189).
The level of decoration has strayed from the more austere norm of Malaysian art (Muzium Negara, ed., Gold Jewelry and Ornaments of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2004). This could be due to a royal patron as 'patronage from Malay royalty encouraged work production of sumptuous ceremonial regalia, jewellery and weapons.' (The Message & the Monsoon, p.188).The strong reds and enamelled technique indicate an Indian influence that may have come from the notable migration of Indians to Malaysia in the 19th century.
The function of the box is not clear. Production of boxes in the Malay Peninsula were usually reserved for pens, this was due to the level of respect felt for calligraphy as an art form. However, this piece is too small for a pen box, it may therefore be an elaborate betelnut container made with Islamic hospitality and generosity in mind.
The level of decoration has strayed from the more austere norm of Malaysian art (Muzium Negara, ed., Gold Jewelry and Ornaments of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 2004). This could be due to a royal patron as 'patronage from Malay royalty encouraged work production of sumptuous ceremonial regalia, jewellery and weapons.' (The Message & the Monsoon, p.188).The strong reds and enamelled technique indicate an Indian influence that may have come from the notable migration of Indians to Malaysia in the 19th century.
The function of the box is not clear. Production of boxes in the Malay Peninsula were usually reserved for pens, this was due to the level of respect felt for calligraphy as an art form. However, this piece is too small for a pen box, it may therefore be an elaborate betelnut container made with Islamic hospitality and generosity in mind.