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: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (Related Documents)
In the 14th Annual Report, Appendix II entitled "Skeat Collection", the object was given No. 410, under "7. Means of locomotion/All the objects included in this section are models." The object was described, along with No. 409 (Z 33712) "S. kolek. Small one-masted sailing boat, that vary considerably in size and when large carry the ketam sepak or steering-paddle. They are distinguished by an ornament, the angkul-angkul, a cylindrical piece of wood, across their bows: on the stern is carved scroll ornaments. Length 30" and 19" respectively."
Event Date 1899
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Context (References)
H. Warrington Smyth (1902) Boats and Boat Building in the Malay Peninsula". Journal of the Society of Arts (50), pp. 570–588, p. 585.

Event Date 1902
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Although this item does seem to be Skeat I: 410, its length as given in the Skeat Printed Catalogue I is 19.0", whereas the card has 21.0" .
Event Date 1986
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Small one masted sailing boat. They are distinguished by an ornament, the 'angkul-angkul', a cylindrical piece of wood across its bows: on the stern is carved scroll ornaments
Event Date 1987
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Printed number '31U' pasted to object. These were the numbers supplied to Skeat by von Hügel as noted in the Skeat correspondence
Event Date 14/11/2013
Author: Guey-Mei Hsu

Description (Physical description)
Wooden model of a Sampan kolek, single-masted boat (.1). The mast (.2) is topped with bristling plant fibres. The 4-sided cotton cloth sail (.3) is attached to the mast with 2-ply twisted plant fibre, a wooden pulley and a crescent-ended boom at the base and a small yard at the top, also crescent-shape at one end. Possibly gaff-rigged. The carved scroll stern ornament is curved upwards into the body of the boat, now broken into two (4-5). With one crutch-handled steering paddle (.6) and a small pointed piece of wood (.7) inserted into a share hole behind the stern scroll ornament at the opposite end to the labels.
The location of the mast hole in the hull or desk is uncertain.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
Written on the stern ornament in pencil '---- Bayang' [shadow]
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
Old paper label on hull reads '410/Sampam Kolek'
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Boat and sail reassembled for photography with the assistance of Professor Maznah Mohamad, Head of the Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore. However, not all items were firmly identified and their positions on the model may not be accurate.

Translation of stern ornament term 'Bayang' is shadow.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Description (Labels & Markings)
Old paper label on deck with the number '3' written in ink.
Event Date 16/11/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Text on scroll may be 'Sulor-Bayong'- as noted by H. Warrington Smyth as an 'ornamental wooden scroll finial in stern sheets of sea-canoe (kolek).


Event Date 14/11/2033
Author: rachel hand