Ornate wooden panels such as this were an important part of traditional architecture in the Malay World. Carved panels typically graced doorways and walls, adding a decorative touch in homes and other structures. In traditional Malay culture, the woodcarver had a special relationship with his material. Wood was believed to have its own essential spirit or energy, 'semangat' as it is known in Malay. The woodcarver did not merely craft the wood he worked on, he worked with the wood to bring out and enhance its beneficial qualities and its beauty.
