Symmetry Patterns: An Analysis on Frieze Patterns in Malay Telepuk Fabric

Abstract

Research on the study of the motif and symmetry of the Malay Telepuk (Gilding Cloth) are not extensive in Malaysia. Many documented
research by textile artists and researchers mainly touch on the history, aesthetics, motif representations/meanings, development of textile
design and textile cosmology especially of the Songket and Batik.The Telepuk or Gilding Cloth is generated from the technique of
enhancing and beautifying cloth using gold paper. The Malaysian States of Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Johore, Pahang, Terengganu and
Kelantan are the main producers of the Telepuk (Gilding Cloth). This paper is an analysis and the classification of the structure of the
design pattern of the Telepuk(Gilding Cloth) through its symmetrical group that is the frieze pattern. The design pattern analysis is carried
out on the cloth structure (badan kain, tepi kain, kaki kain and kepala kain) the sarong, kain lepas or selendang and the headgear. The
sample of the Telepuk sourced from the Selangor State Museum was selected and reproduced in the form of a sketch using Adobe
Illustrators. The design pattern of the Telepuk resulting from this study will be documented and catalogued and serves as a useful guideline
for relevant professional bodies as well as serving as a database for future reference. The study contributes effectively in the use of the grid
system in the process of pattern and motif design from the creativity of Malaysian Telepuk(Gilding Cloth) weavers. It also serves as
evidence of the existence of geometrical and symmetrical patterns in the Telepuk (Gilding Cloth) that will be useful to the Telepuk design
industry, leading to it being an effective model to the other Malaysian arts and craft in coming out with ideas in motif and pattern design.