The Legacy of the Malay Letter

With their spendid illumination, elegant calligraphy, intricate seals and courtly and refined language, the Malay letters embody all that is most beautiful in Malay culture, civilization and aesthetics. Indeed, such letters offer a glimpse of the complex social and political structure of Malay society, for every element - from the position of the heading and seal to the choice of yellow silk envelope - was determined by the relative rank of the correspondents and the diplomatic importance of the missive.