Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait451906roya).pdf/305

 : "Ikatan kipas " taking two bobbins.
 * "Penyambut" taking two bobbins.
 * "Prut Lintah " taking two bobbins.
 * "Tali Ayer" taking two bobbins."
 * "Kaki" taking two bobbins.

The most common stitch in all their laces is the "Ikatan," or fastening stitch. It does not resemble the torchon "half stitch" or "whole stitch" but seems to be original. A more elaborate form of it is called "Mata Punai," and is the only stitch which has the same name as in the Palembang patterns sent to me. The Malacca Malays use the word "renda" for all lace except the narrow edgings which they call "biku." They themselves never seem to have made wide edgings; all their wide laces being insertions joined together for trouser borders. They throw their bobbins across with incredible rapidity using their second and third fingers to flick the bobbin across more especially in making the "bars" or "prut lintah." It is an art which cannot be acquired by everyone. As to the origin and history of the industry I have been unable to find out anything. Through the kindness and courtesy of Mr. Spakler, Consul General for the Netherlands in Singa- pore, I have obtained a pillow from Palembang, Sumatra, where lace is also made by the Malays. This pillow is identical with the Malacca one in structure and design only with a drawer and more elaborately ornamented. The industry is a flourishing one in Palembang where the Dutch ladies buy the lace in quantities for their Kěbayas (jackets) and it is sold in lengths of 4 yards for this purpose. The bobbins are also identical, though slightly longer and up to one hundred are employed. What is more interesting the common terms are the same "Bantal," "Buah," Sepesel"—but in addition they have the word "Papan" for insertion, and "renda " is confined to wide (2), edgings which in Palembang are also made by the natives. "Renda" is I believe, a Portuguese word and is also used in Ceylon for lace, were I am told the lace industry was undoubtedly founded by the Portuguese. But again it may be native. If is impossible now to say. A very curious pillow was shown to me by Mr.