Singapore is known for being a multicultural society, and one ramification of this is a unique cultural style that can be seen in the island’s coloured porcelain, delicious food and striking architecture. These are represented in the gifts and products for the home available at Silk Walk in Tanglin Mall. We take a look at some of the store’s highlights below, including Peranakan tiles, homeware items such as wooden salad bowls and boxes, and art by Talking Textiles.
Wooden salad bowls and homewares
The Peranakans were some of Singapore’s earliest settlers, and their descendants shared a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian heritage. The result is an unsurprisingly vibrant culture epitomised in Silk Walk’s specially curated collection of accessories for the home, which celebrate the rich legacy of Peranakan artistry.
Each piece, from colourful Peranakan wooden salad bowls to the elegant spinner bowl and the intricately designed photo frame, has been crafted by skilled artisans and is available in vivid hues or classic blue and white. It’ll add a touch of tradition and style, whether you’re enhancing your party décor or giving someone a gift.
Ceramic Peranakan tiles for teapots
This Peranakan ceramic tile has been hand-painted with care and precision, celebrating the love, joy and heritage around tea culture. It’s adorned with the auspicious “Double Happiness” symbol in Chinese. Each stroke and colour on the tile reflects meticulous attention to detail and the richness of Peranakan tradition.
Ideal as a thoughtful gift or a treasured addition to your décor, it’s a timeless keepsake for your collection – one that symbolises warmth, hospitality and the enduring bonds of happiness.
Prints by Talking Textiles
The iconic Peranakan teapot appears again on this Talking Textiles tea towel. Also featured are Chinese characters for herbal tea or cooling tea (凉茶, liang cha), and ornate Peranakan spoons and phoenixes. It’s a fun, quirky way to liven up your kitchen space.
Also by Talking Textiles is this Baba Nyonya 2021 canvas print by artist Deborah McKellar. It depicts a well-preserved Peranakan shophouse situated along renowned Koon Seng Road in Joo Chiat. These shophouse buildings can be found all over the island, but are epitomised in the colour and splendour of Koon Seng Road. They’re also a wonderful expression of the blending of a working and living space. Painting the façade with pastel colours became popular in the mid-20th century, and these colours have remained strongly associated with the image of the Singaporean shophouse.
Boxes and more by Rare Bird Collection
Artistry meets heritage in the product range of Rare Bird Collection. The exquisite items include scarfs, earrings, trays and boxes. They feature unique Peranakan tile designs and elements of other cultures that embody the Singaporean identity. Each piece weaves tradition and modern elegance.
This article featuring Peranakan tiles, art, homeware and salad bowls first appeared in the April 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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