Classification of Frieze Patterns in Malay Songket Textile

Abstract

In Malaysia, songket is the most popular hand-woven fabric and is classified as an antique craft. The authentic songket is woven by the Malays especially in the East Coast of Malaysia such as Terengganu and Kelantan. This paper is about the analysis of Malay songket patterns with the use of the method of 2D plane which is frieze patterns (border patterns). This paper is based on the classification of Malaysian songket patterns especially on border patterns (tepi kain, kaki kain, and kepala kain) which are from kain sarung and kain lepas/selendang (shawl), and these are based on their geometric symmetries on the plane. It constitutes an extremely valuable tool for this paper because it enables the characterization of songket patterns into frieze patterns. The benefit of this paper is to be documented and catalogued as useful guidelines for related professions and as database for future reference. It also served as evidence of the existence of geometric and symmetry patterns on Malaysian songket patterns as a useful contribution to the songket design industry and finally to be an example for other Malaysian arts or crafts for making ideas and design in an effective way.