Two pairs of silver cuff links

As more aristocratic Malay men entered the Malayan Civil Service by the end of the 19th century, they also began to adapt European-style clothing such as dress shirts and dinner jackets, which in turn required accessories such as cufflinks. While some may opt to purchase new pairs, others could instead choose to send appropriate existing jewellery such as subang (post earrings or studs) to local silversmiths to be repurposed. These silversmiths in turn, having expanded their craft technique, began producing their own cufflinks with adapted designs.