Malay Silver Bowls, Malaysian

Pair of Chased Silver Bowls (Batil)

This pair of Islamic-influenced bowls (batil) from the Malay people of Malaysia are of solid hammered silver that has been chased and engraved with decoration.

The bowls are chased with bands of foliate scrolling and engraved with stylised petals down their bodies.

The bases are flattened and chased with a roundel decorated with scrolling vegetal and flower motifs within a geometric border.

The designs are entirely within the Malay aesthetic.

Such bowls were used to hold rice or water, or used as finger bowls. At other times they might have been used in ceremonies to pour water. Probably, they owe their semi-spherical shape which flattens towards the base to inspiration from the coconut shell which was used as a receptacle and to measure out rice grains among poorer Malay households (Fraser-Lu, 1989, p. 73.)

The pair is in fine condition, without dents or repairs. The bowls were acquired from within the UK. This is typical: many examples of Malay silver were brought to the UK as souvenirs during the colonial era.

Fraser-Lu, S., Silverware of South-East Asia, Oxford University Press, 1989.

Ling Roth, H.,

Oriental Silverwork: Malay and Chinese, Truslove & Hanson, 1910.Provenance:

UK art market