Batik and Pewter: Symbols of Malaysian pianissimo

Abstract

National symbols are part of a country's historical material culture. They are an indication of how those in power within the country wish the nation to be represented on the global stage. Intersecting with such cultural and political factors are the ways in which economic enterprises construct objects or artifacts that over time assume the status of national icons. The focus in this article is on two examples of Malaysian material culture that are accepted by visitors and promoted by the government as national symbols - batik and pewter. The making of these national material cultural identities provides a window to broader sociological dynamics. These can be viewed as a manifestation of a process where the government negotiates a softly articulated balance between the interests and concerns of its political constituency and the rigorous demands of the market - a Malaysian pianissimo.