WOOD CARVING OF MALAYSIA.

Wood carving is a part of the Malay culture.

   Wood carving as part of the Malay culture has been mentioned in the Malay Annals since the Malacca Sultanate. Even in the Misa Melayu, Raja Chulan did mentioned the used of carvings as decoration in the palace of Sultan Zulkarnain (1756-1780). The wood carvings were used to decorate houses of Royalty and the Noblemen in most parts of Malaysia. As the craftsmen were not paid much, and following a decline in demand for the carvings, the skill craftsmen were forced to look elsewhere for their livelyhood. With the coming of the colonial powers, this demand almost vanished. Recently, with the rapid development of the country and the emergance of an elite class among the Malays, saw a resurgance in the demand for such art work. This art is now mostly confined to the east coast states of Kelantan and Tregganu.



A master craftsman at work.


   Wood carvings can be roughly divide into two basic catagories. Namely the cut out type and the low relief type. The cut out designs are such, they are used as ventilation panels to allow air to circulate and light to pass through. Because of this purpose, they are mainly found on top of windows, doors and folded screen dividers. In recent times floral and Islamic calligraphy motives are the most commanly found. Fauna motives though not encouraged by Islam sometimes are use too. Cosmic and fauna motives are very common during pre Isamic era.

   The Malay wood carving motives in actual fact depicts the values of Malay culture. Older people are always given the respect they due with the principle of "Any new braches shown must be seen to be emerging from behind the existing branch. Living in harmony and not to create discord and quarrels is also represented with not having two leaves touching with their sharp ends. Another no no is that the designs must not be too complicated and confusing which is synonymn with intoxication, and is disallowed in Islam. Simplicity and easy flowing are generally encouraged to denote peace and tranquility. The fourth principle is that the design must convey tenderness and softness. While the winding end of the plant tells us that this world is full of mysteries.

Workers helping to plane planks to be made into panels with a planer.

Cutting wood joint using a radial arm saw.

Using a jigsaw to cut the design of the cut out type, before hand carving it.

The design is slowly being chiselled and smoothen.

Carving depicting figures and faunas are not encouraged, but still can be found.

A mirror with a combination of the cut out and the low relief designs.

An example of the low relief design.









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