Authors : Mohammad Anis Abdul Samad, Zuliskandar Ramli, Mohd Rohaizat Abdul Wahab and Ros Mahwati Ahmad Zakaria
Abstract: The love for Qur’an has led to the growth in some segments of Islamic fine arts such as calligraphy, manuscript illumination and binding technology. Not to be left behind, the artistic workmanship of rehal created specifically to hold the holy book also developed further in conjunction with its dispersal to all parts of the world. The dispersion of the rehal led to its diversity in shape, form and ornamentation, indirectly reflecting the artistic identity of the culture (s) behinds its manifestation. This research attempts to identify the distinct characteristics of the traditional rehal in the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia. The samples of this study were obtained from museum collections, artisans, local mosques and antique collectors. There are three types of rehal found which differ in terms of techniques. They are known as rehal selak, hinged rehal or rehal berjejari and layered rehal or rehal berlapis. Rehal selak make use of a technique known as tanggam which is a joinery technique adopted from Malay architecture. Hinged rehal or rehal berjejari uses hinges that allow the boards to be folded. Layered rehal or rehal berlapis applied sliding technique to open and close the furniture. Several techniques used in rehal making shows the ability of Malay craftsmen in adapting various skills and technology in their works with adjustments and improvements that suits local style.
Mohammad Anis Abdul Samad, Zuliskandar Ramli, Mohd Rohaizat Abdul Wahab and Ros Mahwati Ahmad Zakaria, 2019. Types and Design of Traditional Rehal in the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 14: 9626-9631.