Visual Composition of Malay Woodcarving in Vernacular Houses in Peninsular Malaysia

Ismail Said, Second International Seminar on Vernacular Settlement, University of Indonesia, 16 –17 Feb.2002

Timber houses of the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia are equipped with carved components that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes and become a determining factor in defining the architecture. The physical form of woodcarving is governed by four factors, namely, principal forms and layout, type of incision and perforation, types of motif and design principles regulating its composition. The Malay craftsmen in the states Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak and Negeri Sembilan apply these factors in their carvings that result to similarities which differences in visual composition of the carvings. The major similarities include application of four principal forms of carving pattern and seven shapes of carving layout. On the other hand, the differences occurred in types of motif and types of incision.