Title
A Malay lady
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Singapore
Object Type
positives (photographs), photographic prints
Material
photographic paper, ink
Technique
photographic processes, photographic printing techniques
Dimension
Image size: 27.5 x 21.7 cm
Accession No.
1993-00285-039
Collection of
NLB Type
Photograph
In the early 1900s, posed studio portraits were very popular. The lady in the photograph is wearing the ‘kebaya’ or blouse paired with the traditional full length ‘kain’ or sarong. The sarong is fashioned out of batik-printed cotton. A ‘selendang’ or scarf is draped over her head. The selendang is used by Malay women to cover their heads and faces to the extent that they would consider proper. The woman is wearing gold rings on the little and ring fingers of her left hand, a common practice among Malay women.
