Let's Learn About...Gold and Silver!

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This September, LET’S LEARN ABOUT…Gold and Silver!

Gold and silver have been valued by many civilisations for thousands of years. Those who owned gold were regarded as rich and powerful. Similarly, in some communities, silver objects were seen to have protective qualities, and were passed down through generations as heirlooms.

 

 

Raw gold

Raw silver

Top and bottom: Raw gold and raw silver

 

Properties and uses

Gold and silver have properties that are suitable for crafting them into decorative and art objects. Gold is the most malleable metal, meaning it can be easily shaped and stretched without breaking or cracking. Gold does not corrode, and has been used for coins and beautiful jewellery. Silver is also easily shaped, and is especially valued for its lustrous beauty.

Besides just jewellery and decorative items, gold and silver have been used in medicine and dentistry as well as electronics, such as our mobile phones. Before the use of dollar notes, gold and silver were used as money and were important for trading.

 

Gilding method

Craftsmen have used various techniques to make gold and silver objects. They use different tools to hammer designs onto the metal, or shape it in various ways. “Gilding” is a technique where a thin layer of gold is applied to an object. Traditionally, this was done with “gold leaf” – very thin sheets of gold.

 

Mixing with other materials

There are many objects that are made entirely from gold or silver, and some that are made with a mixture of other substances. See if you can identify something shimmery in different objects in the galleries!

OBJECTS FROM OUR COLLECTION

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Offering vessel (hsun ok) in the form of a hintha bird

Myanmar, Mandalay, late 19th or early 20th century
Lacquered and gilded wood, inlaid glass and mirrors
1999-00795

The hintha is the symbol of the Mon people of Myanmar. It is a creature featured in Burmese legends, usually associated with royalty. The hintha here is a container to hold offerings for Burmese monks, called hsun ok. Can you see where it opens?

Many materials were used to make this object. The craftsman used wood coated with lacquer to create the body, then applied gold leaf and other decoration to make it look more special.

Imagine bringing this out into the sunlight. Can you picture it sparkling and glittering? How would you describe the surface of this hintha bird offering vessel?

You can find this rare, bird-shaped vessel in our Ancestors and Rituals Gallery on Level 2.

image highlight
Offering vessel (hsun ok) in the form of a hintha bird

Myanmar, Mandalay, late 19th or early 20th century
Lacquered and gilded wood, inlaid glass and mirrors
1999-00795

The hintha is the symbol of the Mon people of Myanmar. It is a creature featured in Burmese legends, usually associated with royalty. The hintha here is a container to hold offerings for Burmese monks, called hsun ok. Can you see where it opens?

Many materials were used to make this object. The craftsman used wood coated with lacquer to create the body, then applied gold leaf and other decoration to make it look more special.

Imagine bringing this out into the sunlight. Can you picture it sparkling and glittering? How would you describe the surface of this hintha bird offering vessel?

You can find this rare, bird-shaped vessel in our Ancestors and Rituals Gallery on Level 2.

image highlight

A page from the Shahnama of Firdausi – Rustam unseating Afrasiyab

Iran, Shiraz, around 1560
Ink, gold and gouache on paper
2009-01606

The Shahnama (Book of Kings) is a long tale about the history of Persia (ancient name for Iran). It was written by the poet Firdausi, who lived about 1000 years ago. This page is from a copy of the book made about 500 years after his death. It shows a scene in which the hero Rustam defeats Afrasiyab, who is the enemy of Iran. Imagine you could become one of the figures in the painting, how would you feel?

The artist used different materials – ink, gold paint, and gouache (a thick watercolour paint) for this painting. What effect do you think the gold gives the painting?

Here is a close-up of part of the page:

Close up of page

image highlight
A page from the Shahnama of Firdausi – Rustam unseating Afrasiyab

Iran, Shiraz, around 1560
Ink, gold and gouache on paper
2009-01606

The Shahnama (Book of Kings) is a long tale about the history of Persia (ancient name for Iran). It was written by the poet Firdausi, who lived about 1000 years ago. This page is from a copy of the book made about 500 years after his death. It shows a scene in which the hero Rustam defeats Afrasiyab, who is the enemy of Iran. Imagine you could become one of the figures in the painting, how would you feel?

The artist used different materials – ink, gold paint, and gouache (a thick watercolour paint) for this painting. What effect do you think the gold gives the painting?

Here is a close-up of part of the page:

Close up of page

image highlight

Kendi

China, around 1680–1700
Gilded silver
2015-00372

Kendis are traditional water vessels that used to be common in Southeast Asia. This is a rare example made in silver; most were made of ceramic. We think that a craftsperson in China made this one especially for a buyer in Southeast Asia – a person who could afford silver. Take a closer look at the scene on this kendi. What do you see?

The decoration was made with a technique called punching. The craftsperson used a tool (a “punch”) to hammer a design, probably from a pre-designed mould, onto the metal. Would this kendi, made of precious silver, be used to store and drink water?

You can find this vessel in our Maritime Trade Gallery on Level 1.

image highlight
Kendi

China, around 1680–1700
Gilded silver
2015-00372

Kendis are traditional water vessels that used to be common in Southeast Asia. This is a rare example made in silver; most were made of ceramic. We think that a craftsperson in China made this one especially for a buyer in Southeast Asia – a person who could afford silver. Take a closer look at the scene on this kendi. What do you see?

The decoration was made with a technique called punching. The craftsperson used a tool (a “punch”) to hammer a design, probably from a pre-designed mould, onto the metal. Would this kendi, made of precious silver, be used to store and drink water?

You can find this vessel in our Maritime Trade Gallery on Level 1.

CREATE

Follow the steps below to make your own gilded flower vase. Remember to tag us @ACM_SG #LearningatACM to share your creation!

 

craft  

Craft created by ACM staffer Claire Teo

 

 

Use these materials:

  • Air-dry clay
  • White glue
  • Gold paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Recycled plastic bottle

 

Follow these steps:

  1. Combine a handful of air-dry clay with 3 teaspoons of white glue, and mix until the clay takes on a paste-like consistency.
  2. Carefully spread this paste around the plastic water bottle.
  3. Carve out patterns with a toothpick or end of a paintbrush on the bottle after you apply the paste. You can also make shapes with the air-dry clay and paste them onto the bottle with white glue.
  4. Let the artwork dry overnight.
  5. Make it shimmer by applying gold paint!

 

 

EXPLORE

Head to NHB’s one-stop heritage portal Roots.sg to read more about the objects featured here.

 

Offering vessel (hsun ok) in the form of a hintha bird

A page from Shahnama of Firdausi – Rustam unseating Afrasiyab

Kendi

 

Would you like more resources like this? Come back to learn new things every month.

Missed a monthly post? Not to worry, we will keep past topics here for you.

What else would you like to learn about? Tell us here.

 

There’s more!

Check out other videos and download e-resources inspired by the objects in ACM’s collection.

 

 

 

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