Sunday, August 23, 2015

Ancient Artifact Review 45 : Antique Malay Silver Pillow Ends / Plates / Tampok Bantal ( 19th Century)



These are a pair of antique decorated silver plates which are sewn onto both ends of a bolster ( bantal peluk). These are typical Malaysia origin.
In Malay weddings, the bridal bed is decorated including pillows and bolsters. For a royal wedding, gold plates are used instead.
These silver plates are Malay origin. This is due to the fact that there are engravings of star and crescent symbolizing Islam among the floral & foliate motives. Malay plates normally do not have any animal engravings due to the Islamic tradition. Compare these plates with Peranakan plates in below link
Peranakan Tampok Bantal


These plates purchased from Jonker Street Malacca. I was informed these plates originally belong to an elderly man but was sold to the shop by the heirs after his demise.

Specification :
Description : Malay bolster plates / Tampok Bantal
OD : 4 inches
Material : Silver

2 comments:

  1. Hi abu dervish,
    Thank you so much for writing to me. You do, have a very interesting collection. Regarding the pillow plates, it is indeed were made for the Malays. Knowing that the pillow plates were very popular in Malaysia, and the crescent moon and star is an internationally-recognized symbol of Islam, it is definitely not been used by the Chinese Peranakans.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Enticz,
      Thank you so much for your invaluable input.Cheers

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