Armband

Title

Armband

Year/Period

Late 19th-early 20th centuries

Region

Minangkabau, Western Sumatra

Object Type

armbands, ceremonial attire and accessories

Material

gold (metal), gemstone, copper (metal)

Technique

goldsmithing, filigree enameling, gilding (technique), repoussé, soldering, staining (coloring)

Dimension

Object size: L: 25.8 cm,
x W: 21.5 cm,
x H: 11.5 cm

Accession No.

2000-06701

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This is an armband, known as ‘gadang gadang’, worn as part of the Minangkabau woman’s ceremonial costume. Made from individual copper plates that have been soldered together and then gilded, this large box-like armband is stained a reddish colour and decorated with leaf and tendril repoussé design. In Minangkabau society, gold jewellery was an important part of a family’s heirlooms that were passed down from mother to daughter through the matrilineal society.