Motifs and Materials at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Museum

This dapper groom’s suit is machine-embroidered with flowers in heavy cloud motif at the lapels. The design work enhances the beauty of the tekat embroidery. Usually, this attire is worn by the groom during traditional Perak Malay Wedding.

These embroidered pillows are used as side pillows on the dais during Malay weddings in Perak. It has a flora motif and decorated with beads which adds an aesthetic touch to the sides of the pillows.

The ‘beaded shoe surface’ is an intricate beaded shoe produced traditionally by the peranakan baba nyonya for generations. It is decorated with tiny colourful beads and traditionally worn by the peranakan for special occassions. Crafting a pair of hand stitched beaded shoe is a time consuming and because of that it is more durable than others. The popular motifs used for the patterns were inspired by flora and fauna such as carnations, roses, nature, phoenix, dragon, lion, chicken and more. Each pattern produced is limited and will only be reproduced if there is demand.

DescriptionThis delicate piece of Nyonya Kebaya was created using the magic touch of Mrs. Lim Swee Kim who holds the title of Nyonya Embroidery Master Craftsman. This Nyonya Kebaya uses cotton voile fabric which is commonly used to make Nyonya Kebaya. This plain fabric is transparent and light, made using a fine, knotted thread. The designs on the Kebaya comes alive with the intricate, colourful embroidery and decorated with peacock and spider web motifs. To finish off the elegant look, a batik sarong is worn to match the colours on the Nyonya Kebaya.

At the body of cloth, a scattered mangosteen base design is use. For the head of cloth, bamboo shoot and chicken claw motifs are used. This Songket sarong is worn by aristocrats, during weddings and custom ceremonies.

This woven cloth features high traditional values based on the technique and motif used to produce it. Rungus weaving uses cotton thread and traditional colours include black, red, yellow and white. The colours yellow and white are used for the design and stripes. The design for this cloth is created so that the stripes are arranged accordingly.

Apok Basket is used to preserve the freshness of betel leaf, areca nut, lime and gambir. Betel nut chewing is common among the natives who generally believed it to be a mouth freshener and to stave off hunger. This basket is extensively used for rituals and events mainly in weddings.

This medium-sized machete is used in daily activities such as meat cutting and slaughtering chickens. Special motifs inspired by rooster head or Serimpak design were carved into the wooden handle using a hand carved technique.

This fine woven mat has an array of intricate motifs where the berembang flower is incorporated into the top and bottom parts, while the centre part is filled with hearts and feet motif and the side borders feature motif of the eight-burst flower, triangular fishing net tip, jasmine cape flowers, canine paw print, sandpaper vine flower and bamboo shoots.

One of the popular traditional games in Malaysia is Wau Bulan and it was made with a great decorative piece. To make it more different and look distinctive, it is crafted in illuminous colors and bold patterns. It is normally decorated with water spinach leave and vine plants motifs as a background.

This flower web batik block is produced by a very skilled master craftsman in Kelantan. This batik block is more refined and unique with the hibiscus flower motif and other additional elements. The mould of this batik block used a combinatiom of thin yellow copper and zinc metal.

The spirit of the crocodile is the story of three children who were forced to go fishing by their stepfather. Unfortunately, they failed to get any fish and were scolded by their stepfather and did not get any food for the day. One of them went out fishing alone and after seven days, he plunged into the river and became a crocodile. As a crocodile, he vowed to destroy human beings who have made mistakes and committed sin.

The production of Iban pottery is believed to contain spiritual elements as it used primarily for official Ibanese ceremonies. This Ibanese pottery is made traditionally and reflect the tribe’s uniqueness as it incorporates the Iban community living.