From traditional garb like kasut-manek (beaded shoes) to intricate carved furniture, this private museum is a trove of culture and history.
With a visit to Katong Antique House, take a journey back through time and marvel at various antiquities and collectibles that depict the colourful hybrid Peranakan culture. Located in a two-storey shophouse in Katong, this private museum is a treasure trove of artefacts, costumes, and furniture that gives visitors unique insights into the Peranakan way of life, history, and culture.
A bastion of Peranakan culture in Singapore, the Katong Antique House features furniture engraved with traditional Chinese motifs such as fish, flowers, phoenixes, and dragons, with each motif associated with Chinese values like prosperity, longevity, and wealth.
Each corner of the house is imbued with a story, and the pieces within are not just antiques but narratives of the rich and colourful Peranakan heritage. Here, you can step back in time and immerse yourself in the intricate blend of Malay, Chinese, and other influences that define the Peranakan community.
The Katong Antique House may be a small museum, but it is indeed a charming potpourri of Peranakan heritage, showcasing and displaying treasures like prints, portraits, costumes, and furniture.
Started by Mr. Peter Wee, a fourth-generation Peranakan, the two-storied Katong Antique House is crammed with all sorts of Baba-Nyonya artefacts, with a shop that sells Peranakan goods for those looking to take a bit of culture home with them.
Peranakan society is matriarchal, and the head of a typical household is usually the grandmother. Mr Wee might also share his vast knowledge about the Peranakan cuisine, which is a delightful mix of Chinese ingredients with spices and cooking techniques of the Malay community pass down generations usually by the matriarch of the family to the daughters.
Besides exploring the physical artefacts, visitors may have the opportunity to watch a demonstration of beadwork or embroidery, traditional crafts that require a masterful touch and years of practice. These seat cushions made from scraps of fabric reminded me of the patchwork that my mom used to make.
If you want to complete your Peranakan experience, you can go next door to Peranakan Inn and eat some Nonya food. It is essential to know that the Katong district itself has a storied past. Once a seaside retreat for the wealthy in the early 20th century, and later synonymous with the Peranakan and Eurasian communities, this area has always had a cultural richness.
Katong Antique House
208 East Coast Road, Singapore 428907
Tel : By Reservations Only
Visited Nov 2013
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