Malaysia is a Federated Constitutional Monarchy annealed together out of thirteen states and three federal territories (the system is loosely based on that of the United Kingdom). The monarch is elected every five years by the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states (the remaining four states have governors who abstain from choosing the monarch and the four Federal territories seemingly also have no say). In today’s Malaysia of parliaments and money this is all largely symbolic (although these sultans and high nobles certainly have influence and may have actual political powers which are not immediately apparent according to the letter of the law).
At any rate I bring this up not to launch into a true explanation of power and politics in Malaysia (which elude me completely), but instead to showcase the four extant crowns which remain among the nine hereditary electors. Five of the sultans of the Malays states seemingly have eschewed crowns in favor of fancy fezzes and keffiyehs. The remaining four crowns all seem based on nineteenth century European examples and are surprisingly ornate and attractive. Sadly I could find out little about them, but here, at least are lovely pictures!
I especially like the yellow/gold crown of Terengganu and I was sad that I couldn’t find a larger picture! If anybody knows more about the magnificent traditional crowns of these four states, kindly let me know in the comments! They are certainly regal (even if they are not well documented or described on the internet).
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May 27, 2015 at 10:14 PM
Meg Miller
Have you designed your crown yet? Why not?
May 28, 2015 at 12:43 AM
Tutu Dutta
What a surprise to find ferrebeekeeper writing about Malaysian crowns! Here is a link which gives you the details about the Johor Crown. Look under regalia http://kemahkotaan.johor.gov.my/alat-istiadat-kebesaran/mahkota-kerajaan-mahkota-permaisuri/?lang=en
May 28, 2015 at 12:51 AM
Tutu Dutta
A blog with info on the Selangor crown: http://gigagorgeous.blogspot.com/2012/11/selangor-sultanate-part-ii.html
May 28, 2015 at 1:01 AM
Tutu Dutta
This blog might also be of interest to you. N.B. the brocade cloth headgear is called a Tengkolok.
http://malaysianroyalty.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-coronation-of-sultan-of-johor_26.html
May 28, 2015 at 1:04 AM
Tutu Dutta
Another blog dedicated to Malaysian royals!
http://radin87.blogspot.com/search?q=Terengganu+crown&x=0&y=0
May 31, 2015 at 1:58 AM
beatrix
For some reason I find the Selagor crown a bit humorous with it’s stars spewing out of the wearer’s forehead.
June 2, 2015 at 3:16 PM
Wayne
Agreed! It reminds me of headdresses for fancy circus horses.