Child modesty plate

Southeast Asian Collection

Accession Nr.: 50.375.1
Type: jewellery; metalwork; accessory
Date of production:
19th century
Place of production:
Materials/Techniques: silver, hammered
Dimensions: height: 6.4 cm
width: 6.3 cm
depth: 1 cm
On this Malay modesty plate (Indonesian: caping) Chinese influences can be seen in the flower design. The caping is a heart-shaped object that is attached to a chain in Malay areas (e.g. among the Bugi people of Sulawesi) in place of clothing, in front of the body parts to be covered. It is mainly worn by children. Silver is the property of families of higher rank, while that of the nobility is made of gold and that of commoners of less valuable materials.