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Caping (Modesty Disc)
The Caping, or modesty disc, existed as early as the 7th Century - during the reign of the Srivijaya empire, which was based on the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). This cap was also used by male children (once they were able to stand and walk) in the North and East coast of the Malay Peninsula. The ways of wearing this modesty disc was according to ones family status: the Royals used white, yellow, red, green and purple strings to tie it to the waist; common folk were prohibited from using yellow and non-Malays often used black strings.
There is usually a ceremony which is performed by a Bomoh (Shaman) when tying the strings of this disc. It is said that the use of caping was to ward off evil spirits. In some instances, Healers or people who know about the ritual may also perform the ceremony for the wearer. The practice of wearing caping continued until the reign of Sultan Muhammad IV (1899-1920), but only in Kelantan.
These discs are usually made of silver (like the first picture). Some discs are elaborately engraved or chased (second picture); these are usually worn by Royals and Nobles. Chasing or repousse (in French) is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is ornamented or shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief. It is a form of toreutics
We thank our Blog Reader - Ngai C K - for the above information.
Little girls also had a modesty covering. Such modesty-covers were said to have originated from Northern Thailand at the end of the 18th Century. These coverings were worn by young girls from infancy until puberty. They were a heart-shaped mesh of silver wire, mounted on a silver chain through large silver links. Many of these coverings had a tiny plaque in the corner - believed to the the mark of the craftsman. The last picture shows a sample of such a modesty covering.