Grandfathers' furniture

2010-01-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

mm whatcha say.

Wooden ironing board

2009-10-17T05:58:00.000-04:00

If you happen to be tiring of those cheap, flimsy metal or plastic ironing boards found at department or convenience stores, consider getting one made of wood instead. Sturdy and long-lasting, this wooden ironing board is at least 40 years old. Reupholstered with its own stable iron rest, you can also fold it for easy storage.

Asking price: RM150

Vintage tea sets

2009-10-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

Dainty teacup and saucer sets made of fine China. Available in other designs.

Asking price: RM20 each

These are tea sets made of china consisting of a teapot and 4 teacups and plates. The first set also comes with a serving tray and bears exquisite goldfish motifs. Perfect for afternoon tea parties.

Asking price: RM350 (first set); RM 150 (second set)

Retro dial-up telephone

2009-10-04T11:33:00.000-04:00

Dial-up telephones are becoming less and less common these days, what with the popularity cordless phones and mobile handsets. If you're looking to add a touch of old-school to your home, these classic 70's dial-ups will definitely do the trick. Needs a little rewiring.

Asking price: RM150 (red); RM120 (white)

Multi-compartment desk

2009-10-03T13:06:00.000-04:00

A sturdy and unique multi-compartment desk or bureau, 100 years old and made of Meranti wood. It is fitted with a lid that functions as desk space which can be shut to conserve space or maintain privacy. With eight compartments and four separate drawers, this desk is excellent for storing files and books, and keeping your documents and stationery organised too. Additionally, it has a flat top for placing picture frames or other ornamental pieces. About four foot high and three feet wide.

Asking price: RM1,500

Teak wood armchairs

2009-10-03T12:28:00.000-04:00

These armchairs were used during the 1960's before cushioned and upholstered sofas became fashionable in Malaysia. They are made from Burmese teak wood, cleaned and refurbished with fresh rattan seaters. Available in two designs.

Asking price: RM550 each

This teak wood three seater - refurbished and fitted with fresh rattan - completes your sofa set. The chairs can be made comfortable with cushions and dressed up with throws, but more importantly, they are longer lasting and much easier to maintain compared to modern day sofas that must be cleaned or replaced after several years.

Asking price: RM 1,200

Peranakan spittoons

2009-10-02T23:45:00.000-04:00

These metal spittoons were used by the Peranakan - especially chewers and users of dipping tobacco - to contain spit. They are coated with enamel, aged between 70 to 80 years and thoroughly cleaned for hygiene. You may not need them for spitting into these days, but they are great as decorative pieces, vases or unique little dustbins. The pictures are arranged from small to big, ranging from 5 inches to about 2 feet in height.

Asking price: Between RM100 and RM350

At major ceremonies in China during the Qing Dynasty, a golden spittoon would commonly be displayed in front of the Emperor. After China became a Communist state in 1949, spittoons were introduced to the public to correct the Chinese practice of spitting on the ground. These were typically made of white porcelain.

Spittoons are no longer found in public places today, but are still used by wine tasters to avoid intoxication.

Old-fashioned dressing table

2009-09-08T11:34:00.000-04:00

This is an old-fashioned dressing table, about 80-years-old, which once used to sit in one of the wealthier local households. It is intricately carved from a mixture of Meranti and Merbau woods -high quality hard woods from Southeast Asia. It can also function as a sideboard in hallways or sitting rooms.

Asking Price: RM 4500

Little girl's dolls

2009-09-08T10:23:00.000-04:00

This colourful doll-set consists of a family of 4 elephants, a hen and her chic, and a giraffe. It is made in China and brand new.

Asking price: RM40

Playroom picture frames

2009-09-07T22:43:00.000-04:00

These are actually old wallpaper borders designed by European fabric-maker Designers Guild, cleverly cut and framed into pictures that can be hung in nurseries or bedrooms. They can be found nowhere else in Malaysia.

Asking price: Between RM35 to RM50 each

Colonial trunks

2009-09-07T13:16:00.000-04:00

These trunks were probably used as luggage containing clothes and other belongings by British colonials during their voyages to Malaya between the 18th to 20th centuries. The trunks, together with their buckles and handles, are made from steel and kept in their original conditions.

Asking price: RM300 each

Mortar and pestle

2009-09-07T12:21:00.000-04:00

This is no ordinary mortar and pestle - it is a rare 8 inches deep. Common mortar and pestle sets are normally half its depth or less. It is made of solid granite and about 60 to 70 years old.

Asking price: RM200

The mortar and pestle was used by villagers and tranditioanl housewives as a tool for pounding and grinding medicinal herbs, chilli pastes and a variety of other ingredients. It is still in use today, though their numbers are dwindling.

Coconut shell piggy banks

2009-09-07T12:13:00.000-04:00

Little piggy banks made from young coconut husks for inconspicuous safe-keeping or storage of coins. Very lightweight and smooth.

Asking price: RM10 each

The wash basin that holds the piggy banks was made locally from teak wood, and used by Malayan locals and villagers for washing or bathing.

Asking price: RM150

Chinese xylophone - SOLD

2009-09-07T11:06:00.000-04:00

Originating from China, this xylophone produces delightful notes when lightly struck. It is beautifully engraved with a dragon that spans the instrument.

The earliest evidence of a xylophone is from the 9th Century in southeast Asia.

Goldsmith's weighing scales

2009-09-07T02:21:00.000-04:00

These manual weighing scales were used by Malayan goldsmiths to weigh gold or gold jewelry many years ago before weighing machines became popular. The scales are made purely of brass and are available in two sizes - 34cm in height and weighing 33g OR 30cm in height and weighing 30g. Each comes encased in its own glass cabinet.

Asking price: RM4000, RM2500

Traditional Nyonya wedding costume

2009-09-06T13:29:00.000-04:00

A Baba Nyonya or Peranakan woman wore this elegant wedding costume during one of her marriage ceremonies about 80 to 100 years ago. Note the gold trimmings on the collar, sleeves and hem, as well as intricate floral embroidery on the entire costume, which is framed to prevent damage.

Asking price: RM3500

The Baba Nyonya were descendants of early Chinese immigrants during the 15th to 16th centuries to the Nusantara region, which include the British Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang. They partially adopted Malay customs in efforts to assimilate into the local communities.

Weddings were steeped in complex rites and numerous ceremonies that would last up to 12 days. The marriage of Malacca's Sultan Mansur Syah to Princess Hang Li Poh from China in the mid-15th century greatly increased the social stature of the Baba Nyonya.

Clay pots

2009-09-06T11:56:00.000-04:00

Rare clay pots in various sizes for planting flowers, keeping umbrellas and walking sticks or simply for decorating your home. Sizes vary from 7 inches to about 3 feet.

Asking price: Between RM40 and RM200

Chinese teapot

2009-09-06T10:17:00.000-04:00

Printed with bright floral motifs, this glass teapot was used by the Chinese in Malaya to hold and pour water or tea. A very pretty find and in excellent condition.

Asking price: RM70

The earliest examples of teapots come from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and were made from zisha, or "purple" clay of the YiXing region of China.

Japanese typewriter

2009-09-05T15:13:00.000-04:00

This classic Japanese typewriter is in working condition and could be anywhere between 20 to 70 years old. The typewriter in Japan was replaced by the word processor in the 1970's and is hardly used today.

Asking price: RM700

The Japanese typewriter was invented in the 1920's. Only specially trained typists were able to operate it. Most versions of the typewriter are able to print up to 3000 characters.

Brass KDK table fan

2009-09-05T02:09:00.000-04:00

Made by Japanese fan-manufacturer Kawakita Denki Kigyousha, or KDK*, this brass table fan is about 60-years old and in good working condition. It is silent yet powerful, and small in size, occupying minimal space.

The table fan retains the charm of historical Malaya, and boasts a strong brass base unlike modern plastic bases, which are less sturdy. A rare find.

Asking price: RM500

*KDK is famous for being the first manufacturer of the electric fan. It celebrates 100 years in business this year.