Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Wedding Necklaces

Pictures below show the unique sets of Malay or Nyonya wedding necklaces in my collection.


Set 1
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Set 2
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Set 3
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Set 4
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Set 5
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Please check out the "Nyonya Jewelleries" too.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Silver Coin Buttons

Pictures below show the silver coin buttons from my collection. It is another kind for Peranakan works of art. From the past, the elder Nyonyas wore short blouses with detachable silver buttons at home. Their sarongs were wrapped the traditional way, held up with silver belts. The buttons for the blouses were most of the time made from the British India silver coinage with the portrait of Edward VII King And Emperor (1903-1910).

A little story about the coins :- After Queen Victoria died in 1901, her elder son, King Edward VII ascended the throne. The Edward VII series of coins of India are dated 1903-1910. There are four silver coins (Rupee, 1/2 Rupee, 1/4 Rupee and 2 Annas) and three copper coins (1/4 Anna, 1/2 Pice and 1/12 Anna). A cupronickel 1 Anna coin was introduced in 1906. That same year, the copper coins were replaced by bronze issues with the same obverse and reverse designs but the thickness of the coins are thinner. The 1906 coins come in both varieties of copper and bronze issues. The King Edward VII coins are distinct as the head is uncrowned. The apparent explanation is that when Queen Victoria died on 22nd January 1901, Edward's coronation was not held till 9th August 1902. The master dead were created before the coronation, so it was not possible to show him wearing the crown. On 5th December 1902, it was announced that from 1st January 1903, the new coins would be issued. It is reported that a new portrait was prepared for 1910, but King Edward died the same year. However, the 1 Anna coin was introduced in 1906 and it does have a portrait of the King wearing his crown.

The top two coins from the pictures are the 1/4 Rupees, and the rest are the 2 Annas.


Picture 1 (Obverse)



Picture 2 (Reverse)