Brunei Silver Box, Malay Silverwork

Engraved Silver Humnidor

This wood-lined, finely engraved humidor is an excellent example of Malay silver-smithing from Brunei. The hinged lid and each side is etched with the scrolling bunga air muleh (water plant) motif within floral and foliage borders. This motif is commonly employed on Brunei silver – the capital of the tiny sultanate, Bandar Seri Bagawan, is next to and, due to stilted housing, over a large river in which bunga air muleh grows.The box sits on four flared feet. It is stamped on the based with the initials ‘A.M.’ and in Jawi (localised Arabic) the word for ‘Brunei’.

Overall, the box is of elegant proportions and the chasing is of the highest standard – indeed, is perhaps the best example of silver engraving we have encountered in twentieth century Bruneian silverwork.