As a museum enthusiast, whenever I go to a new place, whenever I have free time, I will always go search out unique local museums in order to visit for a bit. In this regard, the “Royal Selangor Contemporary Pewter Museum” in Kuala Lumpur certainly is this kind of place, with its own story, and is also a place where one can gain knowledge. It is a museum with a sufficient Local flavor.
Our luck wasn’t bad. In the exhibition hall, I bumped into the granddaughter of the creator of the Royal Selangor Museum, Yang Kun. She enthusiastically explained to us the legendary story about how the Pumpkin Tin Teapot behind her in the showcase once saved someone’s life. This Teapot is the only true article of Mr. Kun in the exhibition hall, which does not seem remarkable, but in fact a true treasure of the museum.
Following the guide into the production workshop, we learned that in the majority of tin object production processes - from blank-making to polishing to carving, the processes all require artisans to manually carry out operations to accomplish the process at hand. Though it does not seem difficult, actually trying to do these things is something completely different. At the “Pewter Pounding work area” we experienced the process for making a tin bowl with our own hands, in the very first step of preparing a round tin plate using a lead board where we would beat in our own name, I did this part wrong twice.
Then, re-using a traditional wood mallet and matrix, the tin plate is slowly beaten so that it becomes a shallow disk shape. Then this is finally exchanged for a somewhat deeper mold and more striking is carried out in order to form the tin bow. According to what was said, this is the earliest process, but it wasn’t simple in any way, and is tightly attuned to skill, technique, and patience. Regardless of whether the tin bowl that we produced in the end is beautiful or not, at least during this handcrafting processes full of clanking sounds, everyone was happy on the inside.
The Xila Pavilion is completely free, and there is a guide at the door. There are multiple languages to choose from. It will automatically explain when you walk to a platform. Finally, you will enter a semi-factory booth. You can participate in it. Finally, there will be a shopping link. Some works are limited editions and there is a theme cafe. The overall feeling is great!
Royal Selangor is located in the northeast of Kuala Lumpur city center, about 20 minutes' drive from the Twin Towers. This is a local enterprise founded by overseas Chinese, mainly producing tin tools, which have spectacular large ornaments and exquisite daily necessities, the merchant specially equipped with a tour guide, with the history and background of the manufacturer to introduce, or it is very worth a turn.
The Royal Selangor Experience Hall is a famous tin factory in Malaysia that was founded in 1885 by founder Yang Yu from Shantou in China. In 1992, it was named the Royal Selangor because of its excellent production process. It is also one of the factories that leaders and tourists must visit when they come to Malaysia. The team has a special Chinese interpreter, and individual tourists can also understand the production process of tin products through headphones, from alloying liquid to embryo making, polishing, carving, and each process is handmade by the master. It looks a bit similar to the shopping points we often go to in our group tour, but the big difference is that there is no sales here, only the introduction and experience of tin products, so here we also met local primary school students to visit and study. After visiting the tin products production process, finally came to the tin gift shop. Small to cups, ashtrays, vases, tea cans, big to bells and various decorations, etc., dazzling, people can't let go, completely unable to walk. The price is unified in the whole Malaysia, and the price of the experience hall is exactly the same as the price of the airport store. However, it is not a little cheaper than the domestic price, so it is very suitable for self-use and delivery.
Will learn about the development of tin mining in the Malay Peninsula in the 1800s as well as see pewter making tools, antique pewter and ancient tin currency.
Must visit. Very first-class visit hall. Many stores have opened to buy products made inside. 100% has a memorial value. I bought the collection for 10 years, and the price 10 years ago will be upgraded immediately.
A very special place that is suitable for all family members to visit and the guide was very welcoming with free entry. It is a historical trip to the tin industry in Malaysia, but the prices of the products are very expensive. If you want try crafting some product, you have to pay 75 rm per person.
Royal Selangor or its old name Selangor Pewter established a Visitor Center to be visited by anyone who is interested in seeing a variety of carefully made pewter-based handicrafts. In addition to seeing the collection in the exhibition room, you can also witness a demonstration of how pewter is polished and packaged. Enough packed with info!