Bowl

At first glance, this silver bowl is reminiscent of conventional Malay silverware, with its geometric and floral engravings around its main body. However, a closer look reveals a more blended style such as foliage contained within cloud-shaped medallions; and also less finesse in some of the engraving finishings at the base of the bowl. Although Malay silversmiths had largely ceased operating by early 20th century in the Straits, Chinese silversmiths continued to produce silverware based on Malay typologies and sough to replicate Malay motifs in order to accommodate continued demand for such objects by local and European clients. This bowl is likely one such example.