Pinang Peranakan Mansion

Pinang Peranakan Mansion is another hidden gem in the heart of Georgetown, Penang. the mansion is built at the end of the 19th Century in Church Street by one of the local history's famous personalities, the "Hai Kee Chan".

The mansion used to serve as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee and house more than 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles of the Baba-Nyonya era. The mansion showcases the typical home of a rich Baba of a century ago and was recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle and their many customs and traditions

This mansion is used as the shooting venue for various local drama series, most notably "The Iron Lady" and "The Little Nyonya"

Entrance fee is RM10 and free for children below 6 years old. The mansion is strangely manned by foreigners, mostly Vietnamese or Thai

European influences are strongly felt outside the mansion

Almost all cast steel material found in the mansion was imported all the way from Glasgow, Scotland, a testament that only the best raw materials are used in the construction.

Walking through its main entrance, visitor will be awed by the elaborated design and decoration that goes into the interior of the mansion.

This century old stately mansion of eclectic design and architecture incorporates Chinese carved wood panels and English floor tiles and Scottish iron works

The dining hall is richly decorated with European styled furniture, Victorian ceramic figures and glass. Some affluent Baba households even have a separate western styled dining room meant for entertaining peers and European guests.

This is called Vaseline Glass Epergnes which was imported from England. This table centre pieces are used to display flowers at the Trumpet Vase and fruits at the base.

I believe this is an ancient card game the Nyonyas used to engaged during their spare time

The Nyonya Bridal Chamber

Even the sink found in this mansion caught my attention

The back alley which lead to the mansion's kitchen and prayer hall

The kitchen is an important place for the young and unmarried Nyonyas as this is the place where they honed their cooking skill. As women back then do not have much educational opportunity, the only way to get a good husband is by their culinary skill.

Interestingly, they also have their own "in-house" pharmacy at the kitchen.

The temple and prayer hall behind the mansion offers a different contrast from the posh mansion