Is there a difference between the Chinese and the Baba Nyonya of the Straits Settlement during the good old days? Definitely it is undeniable that the lifestyles have some distinctive variations. The obvious were the food, customs, kinship, attire and language. The Nyonya believed that to keep a man’s heart at home was to have excellent culinary skills – to cook good, delicious food making sure that the husband is full and happy. Hence this is one of the reasons why Nyonya food until today is still so popular. Due to the fact that the Baba Nyonya have resided along the Straits Settlement for a long time, the way they dressed and conversed were highly influenced by the Malay culture. However, the common belief is that somewhere along the ancestry line is that the great grandmothers or the great, great grandmothers were of Malay origin but was found to be unsubstantiated as research by interviewing offsprings of Baba Nyonya families did not show any Malay blood line. Even by arguing the fact that some of the Chinese men who stayed on with Princess Hang Li Po during the late 15th century and marrying local women, thus creating the Baba Nyonya’s connection is over stretching history especially when only after four centuries were the Baba Nyonya and its historical lifestyles documented. The common misinterpretation until today that the Chinese in Malaysia are called ‘Malay People’ or ‘马来人‘ by Chinese living in China and Hong Kong may be the answer that the Chinese men who migrated from China then married a ‘Malay Girl’ from Malaya which in fact is referring to a local Chinese girl.

Further to comparing the similarities and differences between the Chinese and Baba Nyonya, it is rather peculiar that scholars have yet to find any Baba Nyonya association that was formed during the late 19th century. Unlike the Chinese, where many associations were established for those who came from the same regions in China, spoke the same dialects, have the same surnames, or worked in the same trades, etc. it is also found that some prominent Babas were members and contributed to these Chinese associations. The reason why the Baba Nyonya did not have their own association that time inclined some to opine that they actually considered themselves part of the Chinese community but living differently from the traditional Chinese culture.

by CHT & Glen Chee

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Famille rose kamchengs or covered jars are considered the ‘must have’ among Straits Chinese porcelain specialist collectors. There are two major types of kamchengs that are considered to be Straits Chinese between the period of mid 19th to early 20th century. The famille rose enamels are colourful and gaudy wares that are usually presented as gifts and used during ceremonial occasions to display the opulence and affluence of the Straits Chinese Peranakan families. The other category of kamchengs are the Kitchen Qing blue and whites that were mass produced and exported to South East Asia mainly for utilitarian usage. The word Kamcheng pronounced in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect from Fujian carries the connotations of love, affection and relationship. Among the Straits Chinese Peranakan community,  most have opined that these colourful kamchengs were used for storing cooked rice or as soup tureens and used during special and auspicious occasions. However, in recent years, the television series ‘Little Nyonya’ had dramatised the colourful kamcheng into an item that the bride would bring along to her new home after the wedding ceremony. Perhaps this dramatisation could be interpreted as the kamcheng signifies or seals the ‘kamcheng’ (relationship) between both families through the wedding ceremony. Hence, many collectors and enthusiasts have started to accept and preach this analogy. 

There is no doubt that these is food containers but there are no evidence suggesting that only the colourful ones were actually used for ready cooked food or as a momento for brides. In fact these porcelain pieces were mainly used as storage jars for dried food and herbs in China and other countries where the Chinese had migrated to. It is common to find traditional Chinese medicine halls using the blue and white kamchengs as herbal jars. It may well be that only the affluent families could afford having these famille rose porcelain to match their other table wares. Large kamchengs made during the mid 19th to early 20th century are hardly found in China but most extant pieces are found in Southeast Asia. Some rarely encountered leviathan kamchengs can comfortably hold a sitting baby! As for the mini or baby kamchengs, it is accepted that they were predominantly used for storing valuable daily health supplements or life saving medicinal pills.

The blue and white kamchengs are comparatively much cheaper than the colourful ones. Prices for the coloured pieces greatly depend on the ground colour, size, motif designs and markings. A big rare kamcheng may fetch more than RM100, 000 whereas a green ground baby kamcheng could be asking for RM5,000. Beginners  should be vigilant that there are a good number of fakes and a significant  amount of reproduction items in the markets asking for genuine antique prices. 

Jade has been revered by the Chinese culture for centuries not only for its beauty and spiritual aspects, but more importantly because it resembles one’s status. Ancient jade carvings of mystical figures from the Han or Song dynasties are very popular among collectors and have been fetching very high prices in auction houses around the world.   

Britain has developed a taste for luxury over the centuries and perfected the art of showcasing its elegant side to her visitors. Enjoy fashionable restaurants, shopping and culture, and hire historical castles and islands to stay and play at. Get a taste for the life lived by royalties. For your shopping spree, seek out the royal crest above shop doors to unlock the highest quality products favoured by none other than the Queen of England. 

The Attraction

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The Shard

The best view of London can be seen from The Shard’s 72nd floor — The View from The Shard with unparalleled 360-degree view for up to 40 miles. The 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark is London’s new emblem. Besides its extraordinary and exquisite architectural design, The Shard houses many occupiers including the famous Shangri-la Hotel as well as retailers, restaurants, offices, education institution, medical and more. 

Opened in July 2012, The Shard’s designer Renzo Piano was inspired by the spires of London churches and the tall ships depicted by Venetian painter Canaletto. Visit The Shard website for more architectural designs that include the eight sloping glass facades’, the ‘shards’, the architectural shape and visual quality of the tower, the unique glass designed to reflect the lights in unpredictable ways and more.

The Shard is utterly impressive and certainly a vision of inspirations. Catch London’s iconic sights of the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, River Thames, The London Eye, The Cheesegrater, The Gherkin and many more from this amazing skyscraper.

The Shard
Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 844 499 7111
Website: http://www.the-shard.com
Business Hours: 10am – 10pm

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Blenheim Palace

A World Heritage Site as designated by United Nations, Blenheim Palace was the gift by Queen Anne and a grateful nation to the first Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill and his wife, Sarah Churchill, for his great victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. It is also the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of a ‘palace’.

Worthy of a visit for its famed history and architecture, Blenheim Palace’s architecture was built in the English Baroque style by architect John Vanbrugh. Enrol for their Lights, Camera and Action tour and be enthralled by the amazing mass ornamentation through the rooms of The Great Hall, The Green and Red Drawing Rooms, The Saloon, The State Rooms, The Long Library and more. Baroque grandeur and bold colours trapezed throughout the palace, leaving one in awe of its majestic appearance.

Perhaps a reminiscent of a James Bond film Spectre may further entice one to visit Blenheim Palace if its history did not lure one’s attention. Filmed at its courtyard, the car chase scene in Spectre did ultimately boost Blenheim Palace to higher fame. There were certainly many more famous movies that were also filmed at this palace.

Expect to spend at least half a day here unless you’re a history junkie who pauses at every glorious space of the palace, then one may well take up a full day at Blenheim Palace. 

Blenheim Palace
Address: Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP, United Kingdom 
Contact: +44 1993 810530
Website: http://www.blenheimpalace.com