by J.D.Wen (
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I'm based in Singapore with interests in classical music, art & culture related talks, art fairs, ceramics, walking tour, food, travel, photography, pet dogs, fashion, sustainability and urban farming. Contact me at culturedcreaturelover@gmail.com
A replica of Peranakan Tile for sale at Peranakan Tile Gallery
is one of the latest specialty stores opened this year. The gallery opened by
Victor Lim, a heritage tile aficionado, to showcase
a collection of antique and replica Peranakan tiles.
Peranakan in this context is referring to
Straits-born Chinese who are the descendants of mixed marriages between Chinese male immigrants and Malay women. In late 19th century to early 20th century many of them received English education and were introduced to western culture.
Peranakan Tile Table
Decorative ceramic tiles were popular items among Peranakans during that period. It adorned their homes and even furniture. The tiles are often referred as
Peranakan tiles which are often made with high quality glaze, durable, and sought after by collectors and designers for their exquisite designs till today.
Victor Lim (right) and Perng Pech Seng of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan(left)
Victor, who is also a volunteer guide at
Bukit Brown Cemetery where Peranakan graves are decorated with these tiles, has large quantities of antique Peranakan tiles which were painstakingly salvaged from old shop houses demolished in 1970s and 1980s to make way for modern cities in Singapore and Malaysia.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lim
, a local artist specialising in linocut and Japanese woodblock printing, has stocked her greeting cards in the gallery too.
Adjoining to the gallery, there is
Chong Wen Ge Café serving Peranakan food and beverages at affordable prices.
The gallery is located next to Thian Hock Keng, one of Singapore's oldest Hokkien temples, just a short walk from Telok Ayer MRT (Downtown Line) and Tanjong Pagar MRT (East West Line).
The front view of the heritage site. Photo courtesy of Chong Wen Ge Café
This is a
heritage site where the temple opened its first girl school
Chong Hock Girls School in 1915. The school occupied the extension building built in 1913 which now houses the gallery and cafe. The 3-storey octagonal pavilion in the middle is
Chong Wen Ge.
