Context (Field collection)
Collected by the vendor, William Walter Skeat during the expedition to the Malay Provinces of Lower Siam in 1899.
Event Date 1899
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (Related Documents)
In the 14th Annual Report, Appendix II entitled "Skeat Collection", the object was given No. 429, under "7. Means of locomotion/All the objects included in this section are models." The object was described, along with No. 430 (Z 33733), "Two Lanchang. Of great beam with bows prolonged into a sharp beak: two masts, bulwarks, dandans fore and aft, and two deck-houses. The smaller boat carries two, the larger, which is more ornate, five swivel-guns. Length 36" and 47" respectively. Used by certain Rajas of Sumatra (see also under Witchcraft, No. 852.)"

In the same annual report, No. 852, under "8. Witchcraft and Medicine", reads "A model of a Lanchang (see No. 429 under boats); a variety of boat which, stained with turmeric, was offered to the malignant spirits of disease when an important person for ill, by being set adrift on the river at ebb tide so that it might be carried out to sea."
Event Date 1899
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (Acquisition Details)
The 14th Annual Report (1899) noted that 'Mr Walter W. Skeat, M.A., District Magistrate of Larut, Selangor, Perak, has presented his extensive collection of Malay and Sakei weapons, implements, costumes, models, etc., comprising over a thousand specimens. This collection, the result of many years residence in the country, fills a considerable gap in the Museum series, and is the more valuable as many of the objects it embraces are actually no longer in use among the people, or are being rapidly displaced by European goods. By Grace, 10 February, 1898, Reporter, p. 486, the thanks of the University were offered to the donor for this most valuable gift.
The cost of packing and conveyance to Singapore was defrayed by the donor; while his father, Professor Skeat, generously paid the expenses of transit from Singapore to Cambridge; so that the collection was received by the University free of cost'.

Listed in the 14th Annual Report (1899) 'Appendix II Skeat Collection./This collection was formed by the donor, Mr Walter W. Skeat, M.A., District Magistrate of Larut, Perak, in the Kuala Langat District of Selangor in the years 1896 and 1897'.
Event Date 1899
Author: Remke Velden

Context (Related Documents)
The dimensions of the box in which the item is contained are given as " 30 x 18 x 15" . It is front opening. The card gives three numbers: " 109" , " 18 Q" , " 40" . These may be obsolete box numbers, or parts of an obsolete system of classification; in any case, their significance is at present unclear.

Card also reads: " (Accessions Book...Z 33732...Model Boat...Sk. 429)" . This item needs to be rechecked against the Skeat Printed Catalogue I, and its box reclassified according to the modern system;

Collected by: Skeat.W.W in 1896; 1897
Event Date 16/1/1987
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
A lanchang (also spelled as lancang).
Event Date 16/1/1987
Author: maa