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Mohammad Zain bin Mohammad Tapi
Comyns
Overcoming Adversity
Dedicated and talented, Zain busies himself with crafting delicate sterling silver jewellery and decorative items in Comyns’ workshop. But he wasn’t always a silversmith. He joined Royal Selangor at the age of 20. It was his very first job. Though he keenly felt the challenges of his physical limitations due to his hearing and speech impairment, and lack of skills, he took up the challenge in 1984.
After 9 years, he caught the eye of James Ward, a veteran English silversmith who hand-picked him to join Comyns, when the UK-based silversmithing company was taken over by Royal Selangor in 1993. Now a highly-skilled artisan, Zain’s specialty lies in crafting sterling silver centrepieces like Comyns’ Model T-Ford replica.
“When I first started, I did not have any silversmithing skill. My boss then, James Ward, was very patient with me and taught me silversmithing. I still remember an incident from a long time ago. I had just finished building the Model T-Ford for a customer and was feeling very pleased with myself. Then I saw a tiny silver piece representing a brake which was left out. I was horrified! But I willed myself to disassemble 6,000 parts and reassemble it. That took a long time. It is a story that I will never forget.
I have learned that if I try hard enough, I will be able to do everything easily. Now I can assemble the 6,000 parts of the Model-T Ford with my eyes closed. This thought gives me a lot of confidence. Today, I am able to teach other colleagues how to craft sterling silver centrepieces and other smithing skills. Also, I am happy to have many friends to talk to, they are like family to me.”
Zain has achieved many milestones throughout his journey with the company. Previously a young and inexperienced bachelor, he is now a highly-skilled artisan, a loving husband and a wonderful father to his children.
Celebrating the month of Ramadan during this difficult time will definitely be a challenge for Zain and his fellow Muslim friends, but for someone who has overcome so many adversities, he will overcome this one too.
After 9 years, he caught the eye of James Ward, a veteran English silversmith who hand-picked him to join Comyns, when the UK-based silversmithing company was taken over by Royal Selangor in 1993. Now a highly-skilled artisan, Zain’s specialty lies in crafting sterling silver centrepieces like Comyns’ Model T-Ford replica.
“When I first started, I did not have any silversmithing skill. My boss then, James Ward, was very patient with me and taught me silversmithing. I still remember an incident from a long time ago. I had just finished building the Model T-Ford for a customer and was feeling very pleased with myself. Then I saw a tiny silver piece representing a brake which was left out. I was horrified! But I willed myself to disassemble 6,000 parts and reassemble it. That took a long time. It is a story that I will never forget.
I have learned that if I try hard enough, I will be able to do everything easily. Now I can assemble the 6,000 parts of the Model-T Ford with my eyes closed. This thought gives me a lot of confidence. Today, I am able to teach other colleagues how to craft sterling silver centrepieces and other smithing skills. Also, I am happy to have many friends to talk to, they are like family to me.”
Zain has achieved many milestones throughout his journey with the company. Previously a young and inexperienced bachelor, he is now a highly-skilled artisan, a loving husband and a wonderful father to his children.
Celebrating the month of Ramadan during this difficult time will definitely be a challenge for Zain and his fellow Muslim friends, but for someone who has overcome so many adversities, he will overcome this one too.
