Greetings. Although I am not an avid or ardent antique collector, I do however, have a fascination with antiquity. My collection may not be fancy or something to jump about but I would like to share what I have to other bloggers. All of the items I have collected have some personal interest or a story behind them.
Kropp Shaving Blade. This is a gift to my beautiful wife. Made for A. S. Watson & Co Ltd Hong Kong by Kropp in Hamburg.
Sita Wayang Kulit. Made of calf skin mounted on bamboo sticks and the person I bought it from claims that it was actually used for shows in Kelantan and Terengganu during its hay days. Don't know how far this is true. There is no way of verifying this. In the absence of TV and Movie Theaters back in the day, wayang kulit was a popular form of entertainment. Usually during the weekends at night everyone (young and old) would gather in the kampung at the town hall or designated area. The wayang kulit, when held up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, would cast shadows the screen. The plays are invariably based on romantic tales, especially adaptations of the classic Indian epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. stories. It is up to the dalang or puppet master to decide on the story direction.
Upclose.
Brass Tepak sirih. This set is from the 70's. It is used for the preparation of eating daun sirih. It is heavy and made of solid brass unlike the modern sets made during the 90's and 2000, whereby, the brass is rather flimsy and light. Tepak Sireh (betel leaf container) is an Malay handicraft that carries important values & meanings in Malay tradition where it has its found place in formal Malay ceremonies and social gatherings. The containers are utilized to store betel nut, lime (kapur), extract from the leaves of gambier plant, tobacco, betel leaves and nutcracker (kacip).
Cannon ball used during the Portuguese conquest and occupation of Melaka from 1511 to 1641. Purchased this from an avid Portuguese / Nyonya collector in Melaka. Made of lead. Brass Tibetan bell. Purchased by a collector in Amcorp Mall.
Thermometer set made during the 70's, A. S. Watson Co Ltd. Also a gift to to wife.
Old wood badminton Aeroplane (made in China) and Yonex (made in Japan).
The Bell holder was purchased from Ikea RM9.90 and the string for ringing the bell was a DIY project. I just find it fascinating to having someone ring a bell with a more natural and earthy sound, before entering a home rather than the traditional or modern electric door bell with the standard "Ting Tong" sound.
