Strong yet delicately malleable with a dark and subtle sheen, pewter has been prized for centuries. And who creates the world’s finest pieces? Royal Selangor.
Strong yet delicately malleable with a dark and subtle sheen, pewter has been prized for centuries. And who creates the world’s finest pieces? Royal Selangor.
In 1885, intrepid pewtersmith Yong Koon sailed from Shantou, China, for the state of Selangor in the Malay Peninsula. With a dream of delivering his unique casting, hammering and polishing skills to a new world, he set up shop in Kuala Lumpur, now Malaysia’s capital. Fast forward 130 years, and Yong Koon’s company, Royal Selangor, has become a world-famous name synonymous with beautiful, high-quality pewter.
An alloy strengthened by metals such as copper and antimony, pewter has been around since Ancient Egyptian and Roman times, and is now used to make decorative homeware and jewellery. Royal Selangor’s pieces are particularly prized for their intricate designs, created by traditional casting (pouring molten pewter into a mould) and fine hammering by top artisans. Best sellers include My First Shoe, a much sought-after christening present, and the Chess Set, made from wood and pewter, which makes a wonderful retirement gift . Both can be personalised with engravings.
HAMMER TIME
Try your hand at the ancient craft of pewtersmithing at Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks workshop. In a half-hour session, for groups of four or more, participants create a pewter dish using a traditional wooden mould and hammer. Take your unique creation home with a personalised certificate of completion. To find out more, call +60 7 590 9196.
HEAD FOR JOHOR
Only an hour’s drive from Resorts World Sentosa is the fashion-shopping destination of Johor Premium Outlets. Covering more than 300,000 sq ft , the outlet centre features a mix of 130 designer and brand names offering savings of 25-65 per cent every day. To ensure that your shopping experience goes without a hitch, amenities here include restaurants, ATMs, foreigncurrency exchange and stroller rentals. Located at the intersection of the North-South Expressway and Second Link Expressway, Johor Premium. Outlets is open from 10am-10pm.
Royal Selangor at Johor Premium Outlets offers a wide selection of products and a workshop, the School of Hard Knocks. Visit http://visitorcentre.royalselangor.com/vc2 for details.
