Michael Backman’s Video Reels

Mulberry trees in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, essential for silk production and fitting that the streets are lined with them given Bukhara’s location on the so-called Silk Road.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #arthistory #centralasia #londongallery #islamicculture #islamicantiques #islam #silkworms #islamicart #bukhara #uzbekistan #botanica #silkroads #mulberry #islamicart #mulberrytrees #silkroad #traderoutes #samarkand #silk

Islam’s emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is demonstrated on the facade of this splendid religious school or madrasa in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Central Asia.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #silkroads #arthistory #centralasia #londongallery #islamicculture #islamicantiques #islam #islamiccalligraphy #islamicart #samarkand #uzbekistan #madrasa #islamicarchitecture #islamictiles #islamicart #barakattrust

Everyone has heard of the British East India Company and many people have heard of the Dutch East India Company but few are aware that France had an East India Company. At Quai des Indes, Lorient, France.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #worldart #worldculture #crossculture #asianartlondon #frenchculture #asianantiques #france #colonialfrance #worldtrade #lorient #frencheastindiacompany #colonialindia #colonialism #indianhistory #spicetrade

A gift from the King of Siam, King Chulalongkorn, to the Sultan of Kelantan in Malaya.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #pahang #pekan #melayu #malayhistory #malayculture #malayantiques #malaysia #chulalongkorn #thaihistory #siam #malaysultan

The massive Buddha stature in the Tōdai-ji (東大寺) temple complex, Nara, Japan. The Buddha is 15 metres tall and weighs 500 tonnes.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #shinto #todaiji #nara #narajapan #japaneseculture #japanesehistory #asianantiques #giantbuddha #buddhism #buddha #japanesebuddhism #japaneseantiques #daibutsu #londonantiques #worldreligion

In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Central Asia. The buildings are extraordinary, if now heavily restored, but they still tell a fabulous tale of past wealth and imported cultural influence.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #samarkand #uzbekistan #islamicart #persianart #islamicantiques #silkroad #islamictiles #centralasia #centralasianart #londonantiques #mughal #madrasah #madrasa #bukhara #registon

Traditional street sellers who sell home-made health tonics known as ‘jamu’ are disappearing from across Java, Indonesia.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #jamu #java #indonesianculture #javanese #javaneseculture #traditionalmedicine #indonesianantiques #jawabarat #bandung #ayurveda #ayurvedic #turmeric

‘Malay Silver & Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand’ by Michael Backman, published by River Books. Available worldwide.

#michaelbackman #riverbooks #malaysilverandgold #silversmithing #islamicart #islamicantiques #melayu #sumatra #brunei #borneo #artbooks #antiquesbooks #indonesianantiques #ethnicjewelry #antiqueweapons #malaysultans #kelantan #perak #selangor

Out now! Our full catalogue for April 2025 is now live on our website. Check your email now if you are a subscriber, otherwise simply visit our website. Don’t miss out on these rare finds. Good things quickly find new owners!

Click on the bio link to visit our website now.

#michaelbackman #rarefinds #rareartifacts #londonartgallery #batavianantiques #filigreesilver #buddhistart #tribaljewelry #ethnicjewellery #antiquejewelry #beautifulsculpture #asianartlondon

Music credit: Space by French Fuse

Our latest catalogue features a collection of rare and beautiful jewellery from around the world.

Click on the bio link to see more images and their full descriptions on our website.

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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#beads #tradebeads #africanbeads #venetianbeads #antiquenecklace #importantbeads #statementearrings #beadnecklace #indianjewellery #goldnecklace #michaelbackman #moroccanamber

Music credit: Sweets by isaintjames

In Marrakesh, the cooking of tangia, a traditional dish, in the fires of a hammam. _______________________________________________

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #morocco #moroccotravel #tangia #marrakech #marrakesh #traditionalfood #moroccanantiques #magreb #northernafrica #traditionalcooking #hammam #hammammarrakech #londonantiques

Islamic Malay silversmithing in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and southern Thailand often incorporated a motif based on the bamboo shoot. Here are the details…_______________________________________________

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #malay #islamicart #sumatra #silversmithing #antiquesilver #melayu #malaysilverandgold #riverbooks #malaysia #bamboo #malaysia #silversmithing

Flooding at a museum in Malaysia. The Abu Bakar Museum in Pekan, Pahang State. The state of Pahang has a good track record on protecting its material culture but it’s still not enough.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #pahang #pekan #melayu #malayhistory #malayculture #malayantiques #malaysia

The Burmese destroyed Siam’s old capital Ayutthaya in 1767 but here is a model of what the Ayutthaya throne hall looked like before the Burmese destroyed it.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #thaihistory #ayutthaya #burmese #siamhistory #bangkok #thaiantiques

Gold betel box with attached lime box, Sumatra, Indonesia, 19th century. Private collection. NFS.

Malay silversmiths did not represent animals or man-made structures on their silverware. Instead, they drew on flowers and leaves as inspiration for their motifs, in keeping with the Islamic aesthetic.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #malay #islamicart #sumatra #silversmithing #antiquesilver #melayu #malaysilverandgold #riverbooks #malaysia

The office in Jakarta from which Sukarno, Indonesia’s first post-colonial president ruled the country in the early days of his administration.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #sukarno #soekarno #indonesia #indonesianantiques #indonesianhistory #jakarta #java #menteng

Tibetan silver and gold amulet or Ga’u boxes with coral and turquoise.19th century. Each is 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 from our website, along with other fine examples.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #tibetanantiques #tibetan #tibetanbuddhism #tibet #gau #personaladornment #ethnicjewelry

Malay silversmiths drew inspiration from the natural world for their motifs. The indigenous mangosteen fruit was one example. _______________________________________________

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #tiverbooks #malaysilverandgold #malaysilver #silversmith #melayu #malayculture #islamicart #islamicartwork #malaysia #sumatra

An exclusive visit to the ancestral compound of one of Bangkok’s richest Thai-Chinese families.
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𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆: 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 & 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.

𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗹𝘁𝗱.𝗰𝗼𝗺
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#michaelbackman #overseaschinese #thaichinese #bangkokhistory #thaihistory #teochiu #taechiu #bangkok #fenshui #chaoprayariver #clanhouse