Kelantan silversmith keeps a fading craft alive

2026-03-26 - 23:40

Mohd Ariffin Wok aka Pokwi has been producing intricate works of silver for over 50 years. (Bernama pic) TUMPAT: The steady clang of metal rings through a small workshop in Kampung Morak, where Mohd Ariffin Wok continues practising a craft that has defined his life for more than half a century. Now 76, the veteran silversmith – fondly known as Pokwi – still produces intricate traditional silver pieces despite a birth defect in his left leg and the physical toll of age. Among the items he painstakingly crafts are ceremonial maces, silver keris, tepak sireh (betel nut containers), and ornate decorative pieces rich in cultural symbolism. Born in Kampung Morak in 1949, Ariffin first learnt silversmithing as a teenager. Over the decades, he honed his skills and became recognised as a master of the traditional craft. “Although I have a disability, I have been doing this work for more than 50 years,” he told Bernama. “In the 1970s, silverware was very popular and many craftsmen were involved in this field. Now, the number of artisans is decreasing.” Using traditional techniques, Ariffin produces intricate floral patterns inspired by nature. Motifs such as hibiscus, ketumbit and bunga tanjung are often combined with the distinctive flowing “awan larat” pattern, a hallmark of Malay decorative art. His dedication to the craft has even earned him national recognition. In 2024, he received the title of Master Craftsman from Kraftangan Malaysia, while in 2020 he was honoured with the Sanggar Mestika Award from the Malaysian Craft Council. Yet he notes that traditional silversmithing skills are slowly disappearing. Most contemporary jewellers today focus on smaller items such as rings, when the expertise needed to produce ceremonial silver pieces – including brooches and royal regalia – requires a much higher level of precision. A single silver keris, for instance, may require about 500g of silver, along with carefully selected wood components. The process involves melting, shaping and carving the metal by hand before it undergoes finishing to enhance its shine. “Sometimes completing just one part can take an entire day. If you make a mistake, you have to start again,” Ariffin said. Age has brought new challenges: his eyesight has weakened, and he is still recovering from a stroke he suffered last year. The rising price of silver has also made the craft more difficult to sustain, with prices increasing from around RM3,000 per kg in the past to RM14,000 or RM15,000 today. Even so, Ariffin continues to receive orders for his work. Over the years, he has produced special pieces for prominent individuals and royal institutions, including commissions from Istana Negara. Today, he is assisted by two workers, including his son-in-law Adnan Ismail, who helps keep the workshop running. Ariffin hopes Adnan will eventually inherit his knowledge and continue the craft.