Date Places Philippines

Hard-Knocking pewter at the Royal Selangor Pewter Museum was probably one of the best things in my Singapore trip. It is one of the oldest and best-known names in the pewter industry for its internationally-acclaimed innovative designs and fine craftsmanship. At the museum, we were toured around the ancient art of pewter-making that is part of Singapore’s few cultural heritage. Looking at ancient pewter things was actually a bit boring, but eventually things became more exciting at Royal Selangor *wink*.

A Royal Pewter Knocking awaits at Selangor

It’s a regular museum with a twist. Royal Selangor is a company, after all. At the back there’s the regular museum where you can find ancient pewter thingies and a couple of people making pewter live. It starts with making regular pewter shapes out of pewter mesh, and then turning it into the shapes and containers by molding and pounding.

Selangor Centre Once Upon a Time

Ancient Pewter Alligators

Singapore Lucky Money Tree

A man shaping a pewter can and hammering

At the front of the museum is a big store where you can find lots of pewter items to take home. Some were a bit heavy so I decided against it because I might exceed my luggage limit. I was planning to load it with clothes later on during a shopping spree

Pewter Chess Set

Singapore pewter souvenir

Anyway, here comes the exciting part – the school of hard knocks! You’ll be led to a room/workshop where you will be given an apron, hammers, a wooden block, a pewter disk and some letters to engrave on your disk.

School of Hard Knocks equipment

Letter engravement stones for your pewter bowl

You start with pounding the letters on the disk so you can write something. You just need to pound it once (with all your angst – just imagine your boss doing it). This is the best place to take your date to to loosen up some nerves and have the best stories to tell afterwards.

My pewter engravement - pretty decent for a first timer

Anyway, once you’re done pounding letters on your pewter disk, you get to pound it on a wooden block with round shapes, ultimately forming into a bowl.

The wooden clock to mold your bowl

Don’t worry, the workshop folk will assist you. I suggest you pound with all your might – your bowl will look better that way! Take this advice and you can even impress your date with your professionally-made pewter bowl.

People hard at work pounding

Me, ready to pound

The end product - you get to take this and the apron home!

The school of hard knocks charges $30 (SGD) per person – about Php900. The tour gallery and retail showroom is free.

Don’t miss the cafeteria – it looked like they were serving yummy food. Unfortunately didn’t get the chance to order but I advice you get some good-looking noodle soup.

Royal Selangor Pewter Centre, Singapore

9am-9pm, including public holidays

3A River Valley Road

#01-01, Clarke Quay

6268 9600

www.royalselangor.com

Here’s how to make your own pewter cast in case you have the equipment: