DECADES ago, Kelantan was well-known for their quality silver craft like brooches, rings, and kitchenware.
However, over the years, the demand has significantly dwindled.
Yayasan Hasanah trustee and managing director Shahira Ahmed Bazari said the number of master
silver craftsmen in Kelantan has decreased from 200 in the 1990s to fewer than 40 today.
Hoping to revive the silver industry in Kelantan, Yayasan Hasanah has, through an apprentiveship programme, brought together a group of thirty young Kelantanese artisans to intensively learn the art of silversmithing from five master craftsmen.
Yayasan Hasanah senior vice president of arts, heritage and culture Zainariah Johari acknowledged how some traditional silver items are no longer relevant.
“One way to keep up with the trend is by incorporating the silver product to something fresh,” she said.
Some of the brooches that were sold at the exhibition were designed by the master craftsmen and made by both the craftsmen and young artisans.
“After a series of brainstorming sessions, we came up with the idea to incorporate silver into fashion. Then, we decided to put handmade silver adornments on handmade shoes.
Yayasan Hasanah has been working closely with Dodi Mohammad from fashion related public relations and marketing agency Tradisi Busana PR.
Dodi was an apprentice to Prof Datuk Jimmy Choo.
Zainariah said the team extended their idea of embellishing handmade shoes with Kelantan-made silver to Italian Trade Commissioner Dr Samuele Porsia. Dodi himself designed the shoes which were then handmade in Italy.
Porsia said Italy is also facing a situation where the younger generation are no longer interested in traditionally crafted shoes.
“Putting silver adornment on the shoes is a fantastic idea,” Samuele said.
Zainariah said the artisans were asked to come up with designs they think might do well in Europe.
“Initially, the artisans created silver designs of international brand logos which did not pique the interest of the Italians. Instead, the Italians preferred something that represents Malaysia,” Zainariah said.
Finally, the young artisans came up with an array of intricate designs ranging from wayang kulit characters to flowers.
Yayasan Hasanah also brought in a fashion consultant and academician to teach the young artisans about sustainability.
Pak Daud holding a 'labu sayong' a traditional eathernware water container. The process to make the silver decoration on it took him almost one month to complete.
“The artisans have their own freedom to design whatever they feel fit for the European market, without even having to conform to any guidelines,” Zainariah said.
Through Tradisi Busana PR’s connection, Italian shoe experts taught the artisans how to attach their silver designs to any shoes.
“The Italian shoe experts taught them the right way to hook the silver adornment to the shoes, none of which needed the usage of glue,” Zainariah added.
Zainariah further said the shoes are not the main star, but the craftsmen are.
Recently, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Nusantara Collection and Lord’s Tailor with the five master craftsmen representing the 30 Kelantanese silver artisans has been signed.
Nusantara Collection, an online marketer focusing mainly on the US market, will promote and retail the works of the silver artisans while Lord’s Tailor will be producing a collection of men’s accessories made of Kelantanese silver in collaboration with the artisans.
Out of the five of the master craftsmen selected for the apprenticeship programme, at least three of them have their children on board to continue the silversmithing craft.
One of them is a silversmith of more than 50 years, Mohd Daud bin Yusoff, 70, or better known as Pak Daud who had been bestowed the title ‘Adiguru Kraf’ (master craftsman) by the government.
“I have always been interested in silversmithing. I was 18 when I first started learning it from my uncle who at that time had been in the industry for 30 years.
“It was daunting at first, especially during the first three years. It surprised me that I was able to get through those difficult times quickly but not easily,” said Pak Daud with a small laugh.
“I strongly believe it all boils down to passion and patience.
One of Dodi's design of the Italian handmade shoes that has a handmade silver adornment attached on it was made by Suhaimi Mat Jusoh. Photos by YAP CHEE HONG
Pak Daud counts among his clients members of royalty from Brunei and Malaysia. Even former US President Barack Obama was interested in his keris tajung’ which took him 12 days to complete.
Originating from Pengkalan Chepa, Pak Daud said his designs mostly depend on the materials he has at hand.
Pak Daud also shared some of his challenges especially with the price of raw silver which keeps fluctuating.
“One time the price spiked to RM5000 per kg. It was our worst nightmare as we could not afford to purchase the raw silver beads.
Pak Daud too explained that he had tried doing modern motives, but the demand was low as people have always preferred the traditional ones.
A young silversmith, Muhamad Khairi Suhaimi, 24, also the son of master craftsman Suhaimi Mat Jusoh, in his 50s, said he picked up the basic skill just within three months.
Muhamad Khairi, also a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering student said he had worked at his father’s workshop from 10am to 5pm during his semester breaks.
Suhaimi too has served the Brunei palace and Malaysian royals with curated royal ceremonial items.
His latest customer was the Kedah royalty who bought a set of saucer and glass covers.
Curiously, Suhaimi said they do not incorporate silver
directly with food or drinks at his workshop when asked about the correlation between silver and poison much like the ones used in Korean royal households.The initiative by Yayasan Hasanah along with some other organisations has already gained recognition and they have secured a retail space at Amato Couture Gallery in Dubai.
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