I have forever been in love with heritage buildings. On my recent trip to Penang, I was able to take a closer look at the Pinang Pernakan Mansion and absolutely fell in love with it. This beautiful mansion of Penang is an architectural behemoth belonging to a group of Chinese merchants who settled here during British Empire. A stately home which has been restored into a museum showcasing artifacts of the Baba-Nyonya era. Built by the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee at the turn of the 19th century, this Chinese courtyard house had a very eclectic style. It incorporated Chinese wood panelings along with English floors and Scottish ironworks. As you enter you’ll be greeted with a, a dining hall, a room full of artifacts, a private room and a bedroom on the first floor. Let me take you on a photo tour discovering the beautiful mansion of Penang.
Main Stage of Pinang Pernakan Mansion
The main stage consists of both the local and imported material in its architectural furnishings.the beautifully fitted handrails balusters of cast iron are specially imported from Glasgow, Scotland. One of the most prominent characteristics of the main stage is the staircase in its European influence. Especially the hollowed out designs of flowers such as lilies as a decorative ironwork are distinctive of the French architectural designs.
Dining Hall of Pinang Pernakan Mansion
The most glamorous section of the mansion is the dining hall. Richly decorated with European styled teak furniture and big lamped chandeliers. The Victorian ceramic figures and glass collections are displayed all around the dining space. The mansion even holds a separate western-styled dining room meant for entertainment for the European guest. All cutlery and showpieces are made of porcelain and silverware imported from Europe.
Front Room of the Pinang Pernakan Mansion
In ancient Chinese homes, the front room is typically separated from the rest of the house by an ornately carved wooden screen. They believed that the divider which is made of timber acts as a “spirit wall” to prevent evil spirits. This also acted as a peek at the visitors for the women folks of the house since in the traditional households women rarely ventured beyond the divider.
Bedroom of Pinang Pernakan Mansion
The bedroom consists of a queen sized ceremonial bed decorated using precious stones.This bed is designed especially for the groom and the bride for their special night. The bed has a small basket kept underneath holding a cock and a hen. The following morning the basket is removed and the first animals hoping out of the basket determines the gender of the future baby.
Artifact Room of Pinang Pernakan Mansion
This is a one big lavish room holding all the precious ornaments, jewelry, sculptures, figurines and artifacts of the kings and the queens preserved in big glass boxes for the guest to enjoy from a distance.
We were invited on a press trip with Penang Tourism Board in collaboration with Malindo Air.
