Michael Backman: Art History & Material Culture

Michael Backman
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Exploring the history of the world through the material culture of its people, the nature of collecting, and the role of collectors in the preservation of material culture. See our website www.michaelbackmanltd.com for available non-Western antique artworks, blogs, reels and podcasts.

  1. 08/25/2025

    Paul Bromberg discusses his new book: 'Later Chinese Bronzes for the Scholar’s Studio'

    Paul Bromberg discusses with Michael Backman his new book Later Chinese Bronzes for the Scholar’s Studio. The book focuses on later bronze objects from the Song dynasty (960–1279) onwards, both utilitarian and for the scholar’s aesthetic pleasure, produced for the scholar’s studio. The book makes ample uses of examples from his own splendid collection, and considers separately the various forms, hidden meanings and cultural allusions of later bronze paperweights—small, elegant, charming and whimsical artworks that would have graced the scholar’s desk. Paul is based in Bangkok, and this episode was recorded in London. Copies of the book can be purchased from the publisher, Arts of Asia magazine, based in Hong Kong.

    25 min

  2. 04/18/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 8 of 8)

    This is the final of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the process of writing a book such as 'Malay Silver and Gold' and getting it published - dealing with photography, publishers, and book retailers. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    32 min

  3. 04/09/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 7 of 8)

    This is the seventh of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at various objects made from silver and gold specifically used by the Malays - betel or sirih sets, banqueting items, rosewater sprinklers, bolster or pillow ends and the like. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    26 min

  4. 04/03/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 6 of 8)

    This is the sixth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at how the Malays mastered gold filigree work to the point that their work arguably is the finest gold filigree in the world. So splendid was it, that it was much in demand in 18th century London, though there was little recognition, then or now, that it was the Malays of Sumatra who were doing the work. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    15 min

  5. 03/27/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 5 of 8)

    This is the fifth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the jewellery, and the objects made from silver and gold for traditional, elaborate and lengthy Malay wedding ceremonies. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    13 min

  6. 03/19/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 4 of 8)

    This is the fourth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the Malay sultans and their regalia.  More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    19 min

  7. 03/12/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 3 of 8)

    This is the third of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the techniques used by Malay silversmiths, and from where they drew inspiration for their motifs, including from the wider Islamic world. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    25 min

  8. 03/06/2025

    The Story of the Malay People as told through their Silver & Gold (Episode 2 of 8)

    This is the second of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This particular episode looks at how late 19th century and early 20th century collecting influenced what types of Malay silver and gold was made and preserved, and how collecting gave rise to a large number of fakes, forgeries and fantasies that are still represented in museums today as 'Malay'. The Minangkabau people of Sumatra are also examined - their material culture is over-represented today in museum collections at the expense of that of the Malays even though the Malays were much more commercially dynamic and influential. The reasons for this are examined. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before. Purchase 'Malay Silver and Gold'. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

    24 min
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Exploring the history of the world through the material culture of its people, the nature of collecting, and the role of collectors in the preservation of material culture. See our website www.michaelbackmanltd.com for available non-Western antique artworks, blogs, reels and podcasts.

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