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DECORATION & ORNAMENTATION
from Turath
by Rahnoma S.
Each of the features in Masjid Lama Setapak varies in terms of the motifs and materials used. They portray their specialities and uniqueness of the historical background and the design process as captivating elements. Those features include wall decoration, crenellations, mimbar, stained glass and cupolas.
The ornamentation and decoration of the masjid can be seen on the column, mihrab, opening, and roof. The crenellation on top of the masjid has influenced the Mughal and Moorish architectural styles.
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Column
As Masjid Lama Setapak is influenced by Colonial Architecture, the classical type of column which is Tuscan order can be seen as one of the structural members of the masjid. There are a total of 22 brick masonry columns with some were plastered and paint finished supporting the masjid. All columns were built with square column pedestals that are designed to carry loads from the columns to underground footing. The original masjid was constructed using timber columns before it underwent a full renovation of its materials into brick in 1933.
Door
There are two types of doors used in Masjid Lama Setapak which are categorized into the main door and secondary door. When the masjid was first built, the wall was filled with open arches with no secondary doors and thus created an open layout. The secondary doors were added after the renovation process took place.
Window
Masjid Lama Setapak has two types of windows installed with the intention to aid in terms of ventilation, view and lighting while maintaining security of the masjid. All windows were identified as clerestory and fixed glass.
The mimbar at Masjid Lama Setapak is full of embellishment that displays a combination of floral patterns with geometric motifs. The mimbar is made using local timber. Due to the abundance of floral species and forest at surrounding, flora motifs can be seen dominating the pattern through the wood carving technique of ukiran timbul and ukiran layang.
MIHRAB
The mihrab of Masjid Lama Setapak is not adorned with an arch but is instead simply a cylindrical structure. It is decorated with square shaped wall decoration made of concrete which also functions to provide natural ventilation and daylight.
