Advertise on podcast: Michael Backman: Art History & Material Culture

Paul Bromberg discusses with Michael Backman his new book Later Chinese Bronzes for the Scholar’s Studio. The book focuses on later bronze objects from the Song dynasty (960–1279) onwards, both utilitarian and for the scholar’s aesthetic pleasure, produced for the scholar’s studio. The book makes ample uses of examples from his own splendid collection, and considers separately the various forms, hidden meanings and cultural allusions of later bronze paperweights—small, elegant, charming and whimsical artworks that would have graced the scholar’s desk. Paul is based in Bangkok, and this episode was recorded in London. Copies of the book can be purchased from the publisher, Arts of Asia magazine, based in Hong Kong.

This is the final of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the process of writing a book such as 'Malay Silver and Gold' and getting it published - dealing with photography, publishers, and book retailers. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the seventh of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at various objects made from silver and gold specifically used by the Malays - betel or sirih sets, banqueting items, rosewater sprinklers, bolster or pillow ends and the like. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the sixth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at how the Malays mastered gold filigree work to the point that their work arguably is the finest gold filigree in the world. So splendid was it, that it was much in demand in 18th century London, though there was little recognition, then or now, that it was the Malays of Sumatra who were doing the work. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the fifth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the jewellery, and the objects made from silver and gold for traditional, elaborate and lengthy Malay wedding ceremonies. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the fourth of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the Malay sultans and their regalia.  More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the third of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This episode looks at the techniques used by Malay silversmiths, and from where they drew inspiration for their motifs, including from the wider Islamic world. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  'Malay Silver and Gold' by Michael Backman is available on Amazon and other book retailers, worldwide. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the second of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  This particular episode looks at how late 19th century and early 20th century collecting influenced what types of Malay silver and gold was made and preserved, and how collecting gave rise to a large number of fakes, forgeries and fantasies that are still represented in museums today as 'Malay'. The Minangkabau people of Sumatra are also examined - their material culture is over-represented today in museum collections at the expense of that of the Malays even though the Malays were much more commercially dynamic and influential. The reasons for this are examined. More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before. Purchase 'Malay Silver and Gold'. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

This is the first of eight episodes in which Michael Backman tells the story of the Malay people - their history, their rulers, their culture & their traditions - through the beautiful items of gold and silver that were made for the Malay sultans and the Malay aristocrats.  More broadly, this series looks at how Malay silver and gold items were made, what types of items were produced, the motifs used, who commissioned the silver and gold is all discussed, plus the various controversies about what is, and what is not, Malay silver and gold - what was made to fool collectors and museum curators, and then which items actually are of Malay origin but which hitherto have been mis-catalogued. All is discussed over eight episodes. The eight episodes are based on the book Malay Silver and Gold: Courtly Splendour from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei by Michael Backman and published by River Books - the first book to be published on the topic in more than 100 years, with 300 pages and almost 500 images of items most of which have never been published before.  Purchase 'Malay Silver and Gold'. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

What is it like to be an 'independent' scholar & researcher? Three published art historians who are tell. Annemarie Jordan and Hugo Miguel Crespo in conversation with Michael Backman on what it is like to being published researchers and art historians but doing it outside the structure of a university, museum or other institutional organisation. Annemarie Jordan is the author of many books on European luxury goods in the Renaissance typically sourced from the 'East', Hugo Miguel Crespo has been published widely on Indo-Portuguese art and Michael Backman's most recent book is on the silver and gold of the Malay people. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

Dr Sigrid van Roode discusses her research into the Zar spirit possession cult of Egypt - a relatively new cult that emerged at the end of 19th century and still has many practitioners. The cult gave rise to the need for a specific form of jewellery - a practice that has only recently died out. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

Graham Honeybill has been a banker most of his adult life, rising to become CEO of a bank in the UAE. He has also been a collector for much of his life. Colonial Burmese silver has long been a passion. A book has just been published on his collection and he has lent several pieces to an exhibition on Burmese art at the British Museum. Surely the pinnacle of any collector's collecting career? In this episode, Michael Backman talks with Graham about his collecting, and his motivations. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

Dr Annemarie Jordan is one of the world's most important, independent scholars on  luxury goods imported to Europe from Asia during the Renaissance. The trade in such goods is fascinating and much of it was destined for Europe's royal families who delighted in exotica from faraway lands for whom possession of such items was a mark of their power and prestige. In this podcast, Dr Jordan discusses what attracted her to this intriguing area of study, her discoveries, and her current research. www.michaelbackmanltd.com

Fiona Kerlogue, one of the world's leading authorities on Indonesian Batik, former senior curator at London's Horniman Museum and author discusses with Michael Backman her career, being a curator, and her latest book on a little-known Batik collection in Prague,  in the Czech Republic. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.

Thweep Rittinaphakorn's new book 'Unseen Burma'  presents a rare and stunning photographic record of Burma during the period 1862-1962. In this podcast with Michael Backman, he discusses his motivations for writing the book and his research methods, and discusses Burma's recent history, as well as touching on its current problems. Visit Michael Backman Ltd's gallery website.