Royal Selangor Visitor Centre Day Tour

Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor, The Cafe, The Royal Selangor Story

Royal Selangor is one of the oldest and largest pewter factory in the world. I’m proud to be Malaysian! Last Saturday morning, I visited to the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre at Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. While waiting for the rest of the bloggers to arrive, I was sipping my latte at The Cafe and browsing through the The Royal Selangor Story coffee table book.


Here are some history overview about Royal Selangor,  it was founded in Malaysia back in 1885 by Yong Koon coincide with the development of tin mining in the Malay Peninsula in the 1800s, at the time when country was the largest producer of tin in the world. And in 2004, Royal Selangor opened a new visitor centre and till today the admission is free for everyone, local and also tourist. This year Royal Selangor Visitor Centre celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

Mengkuang Wall, Royal Selangor History Gallery, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Mengkuang Wall & Royal Selangor History Gallery

Let’s take a tour… basically the Visitor Centre comprises three main sections - The Gallery, Factory Tour and Retail Store. My experience kicked start as we ascended the travelator through the inspired Mengkuang Wall and into The Gallery. 

Royal Selangor Museum, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Royal Selangor Museum

Feeling excited and can’t wait to find our more in The Museum. There were pictures about the history of pewter in Malaysia; exhibits of not only pewter artefacts, of which there are many, but also Yong Koon's original pewtersmithing tools and personal effects.

Datin Chen Mun Kuen, Lucky Melon Teapot, Melon Pot, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
with Datin Chen Mun Kuen and the Lucky Melon Teapot

The Lucky Melon Teapot, I am honored to meet Datin Chen Mun Kuen and also learned about the history of this Melon Pot, this is the lucky melon-shaped teapot that saved Ah Ham’s life during World War II. Ah Ham lucky teapot now resides in Royal Selangor Museum as archival collection. You can buy the reproduction of this lucky melon teapot at the Royal Selangor Retail Store. If you want to know the full story about this lucky melon teapot, please visit the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre ok…

the Comyns Archive, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
the Comyns Archive

In the Comyns Archive you can check out all about sterling silver heritage. Comyns, one of the oldest and most prestigious silversmiths, with a hallmark that dates back to 1645, was acquired by Royal Selangor in 1993 together with its treasure trove of more than 35,0000 patterns, drawings and moulds.

Chamber of Chimes, Hall of Frames, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
at Chamber of Chimes & Hall of Frames

As we walked into the Chamber of Chimes we heard a soothing mixtures of sound ~ enter the world of pewter through sight, touch and sound. Then we passed the Hall of Frames decked with an impressive collection of past and present Royal Selangor photo frames, you can touch, feel and appreciate the subtle warmth and flexibility of the alloy. 

And don’t forget to take as many pictures as you like.

Royal Selangor Autumn 2014 Pewter Collection, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
first look a the Royal Selangor Autumn 2014 Pewter Collection

Then we took a break in the conference / meeting room to view Royal Selangor Autumn 2014 Pewter Collection. I will blogged more details about this collection in my upcoming post. Spotted a set of champagne flute that I think is suitable for my bestie's wedding gift.

The Factory Tour, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Factory Tour

After the break were the Factory Tour. We checked out some of the processes of making pewter and also the tedious works involved in crafting out a piece of pewter. 


Pewter is made of 
Tin + Antimony + Copper = Pewter

Casting, Polishing & Hammering Pewter, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Part of the processes of making a pewter
Casting, Polishing & Hammering

School of Hard Knocks, The Foundry, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
School of Hard Knocks & The Foundry

The fun began at School of Hard Knocks & The Foundry. It's play time. We knocked our own pewter dish at the Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks pewtersmithing workshop takes about half-hour. This workshop price is RM120 for 2 pax. 

School of Hard Knocks, DIY Pewter Dish, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
School of Hard Knocks ~ DIY Pewter Dish

We created our own pewter dish with our name on it by using all these traditional tools that similar to those used by pewtersmiths more than a hundred years ago. Enjoyed the knocking!

The Foundry, DIY Personal Accessories, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
The Foundry ~ DIY Personal Accessories

Then we moved over to The Foundry to create our own pewter personal accessory. The instructor guided us through the fundamental processes of casting, polishing and decorating to create their own pewter pendant. You have the choice of casting items from existing moulds or creating something freehand. I chose the tree pendant.

DIY my Pewter Tree Pendant, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
DIY my Pewter Tree Pendant

If you have visitors from overseas, it will be a great experience for them. Not only they learnt about Pewter in Malaysia but also bring back their DIY true Malaysia’s Souvenirs. It’s going to be a memorable gift and experience for them.

Special for my readers!

50% Discount @ The Foundry Workshop
Now you can enjoy the 50% discount at The Foundry
Purchase 2 passes of The Foundry workshop for just RM150. Usual price is RM300 for 2 passes.  Use the promo code “FOUNDRY SK

Enjoy RM30 e-Voucher
Sign up & enjoy RM30 e-Voucher. Use promo code “EVSK
1. Sign up at www.royalselangor.com/blog/register and key in promo code “EVSK”
2. Click on “Your  e-voucher” check your e-Voucher and the expiry date
3. Click the “Activate” button beside your e-voucher. Only 1 e-voucher canbe used per order.

Both promo code valid from 18th Aug till 19th Oct 2014

Bloggers at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Giant Weighing Scale, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Group Photo: Bloggers at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
on the Giant Weighing Scale 

Overall, I had an awesome time and memorable experience at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre last saturday. I will definitely go back to visit the centre with my family, friends and also bring my visitors from overseas. Hope that they will discover the history and beauty of Royal Selangor Pewter plus the chance to experience the pewtersmithing and accessories making workshops too.

Royal Selangor Giant Tankard, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Royal Selangor Giant Tankard

This is the Royal Selangor's Giant Tankard about 2 metres tall, weigh 1,557 kgs and has the capacity of 2,796 litres. It is recognized at the world’s largest pewter tankard recognized by the Guinness World of Records in 2007.

Shopping Time, Royal Selangor Retail Store, Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Royal Selangor Pewter, Royal Selangor
Shopping Time at Royal Selangor Retail Store
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

Address: 4, Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya,
53300 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-4145 6122

Email: visitorcentre@royalselangor.com.my

Admission: Free

Opening hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, daily
(No appointments necessary unless registering for a session at the School of Hard Knocks and The Foundry)

Complimentary guided tour with different languages - English, Malay, Mandarin and Japanese.

For more information about Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, please visit www.royalselangorvisitorcentre.com

2 comments:

  1. Nice write up, Kelly.
    Never knew there's so much of program available here. Will check it out soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi Elana, thanks. Royal Selangor Visitor Centre admission is free. The Cafe cakes and food are good too. Do check out the workshops too

      Delete

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