Inventory no.: 531

531.Antique Islamic Malay Wooden Kite Holders

SOLD

Two Malay Carved Wooden Kite-String Holders

East Coast, Malaysia

19th-early 20th century

lengths: approximately 15-17cm each

Kite making and flying was a popular past-time among the Malays of the Malaysian peninsula’s East Coast. Wood carving is another important part of traditional Malay culture. These kite string holders bring together these two important aspects of traditional Malay culture.

Both are carved in soft wood in the form of stylised flowers redolent of the motifs often seen in traditional Malay silverware such as betel containers (

tempat sirih). Both have excellent patina suggestive of considerable age.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 531

SOLD