Visual Composition of Malay Woodcarvings in Vernacular Houses of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Malay timber houses of Peninsular Malaysia are embellished with carved components that served both functional and aesthetic purpose, thus acting as one of the determining factors in defining the character of the regional architecture. The physical form of woodcarving is governed by four factors, namely principal forms and arrangement, types of incisions and perforations, types of motifs and design principles regulating its composition. The Malay craftsmen of Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak and Negeri Sembilan applied these factors in their carving which resulted in similarities and differences of visual compositions. The major similarities included the aplication of four principal forms of carving patterns and seven shaped of carving arrangements. On the other hand, the differences occurred in types of motifs and types of incisions.