Katong Antique House

The Katong Antique House is a two-storied antique shop located in the Katong area of East Singapore. Part shop and part museum, it is owned by Peter Wee, a fourth-gen Baba Peranakan. The museum houses Nyonya artefacts and sells Peranakan goods. It is a representation of the Peranakan presence in Singapore. Peter gladly takes the visitors through a remarkable collection of Peranakan antiques, artefacts and other objects while sharing his tales of history and culture of the Peranakan family.

The old shophouse's walls are decorated with Peranakan prints and portraits. The two storey house is full of Peranakan crockery, costumes and furniture. All of these antiques reflect Peranakan's culture. The home-cum-museum shows traditional Peranakan longs dresses called Baju Panjangs and Batik Sarongs, the native Malay dresses. Handmade shoes called Kasot Manek are also here for display. These shoes have beaded designs and elegant motifs of fish, flowers, phoenixes and dragons. These patterns are adorned all over the furniture of the store. Each motif is believed to bring specific values like prosperity, fertility, wealth and longevity.

All of these antiques are arranged all over the house in no specific order, and this creates a colourful effect bouncing off the walls. Some of the special things not to miss are the wedding pictures and portraits all over the walls of the Katong House. Peter Wee has spent decades collecting this wide range of items that reflect the unique facets of Peranakan daily life. The pictures, artefacts and belongings that date back to Peter's older generation and shows the affection he has for his ancestors.