Herbaceous plant as Malay carvers motif inspiration

Harleny Abd Arif

Abstract

This article discussed on type of plants of herb origin that has become motif inspiration for Malay carver. This research gave specialattention on motif of teratai, bakawali and bayam peraksi highlighted on decorations of gunungan (cosmic mountain) mihrab (niche) andmimbar (pulpit) in Tanah Melayu (Malaya). The subject of the research focused on gunungan mihrab of Masjid Jamek Batu Uban (1734) and Masjid Kampung Tuan (1830) as well as gunungan mimbar Masjid Kampung Laut (circa 1700), Masjid Tengkera (1728) and Masjid Kampung Bukit Bayas (1827/1828). Diversity of identified stylized motif has not only highlight the exquisite decoration but indirectly uncover the secret of herbaceous plant in Malay World which possessed certain benefits. Aforementioned reflects the intimacy between Malay carver and nature and their wisdom in exemplify the motif that has becomes their sources of inspiration. In identifying the type of herbaceous plant, decoration on studied gunungan panel on mihrab and mimbar has been interpreted into digital painting by using Adobe Illustrator software application. The exploration on the research subject’s motif that highlighted in this paper hopefully will lead to new discovery that able to contribute to acquisition in the context of medical study parallel with the effort to build national education across various discipline of study

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