royal selangor: 'money tree'

founded in 1885, malaysian company royal selangor has a workforce of more than
600 skilled craftsmen. during the 18th century the company produced mainly incense
burners and candle holders for the oriental market. with the british colonials, they
expanded to tankards, ashtrays and even tea services. the brand then became known
as selangor pewter.


royal selangor's school of hard knocks
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royal selangor's school of hard knocks is a pewtersmithing workshop that offers
a hands-on experience for visitors interested in trying their hand at pewtersmithing.
the school is located within the company's flagship store at clarke quay, singapore.

designboom visited the royal selangor pewter center and the school of hard knocks
in march, 09.


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certificate are awarded for the pewtersmithing course
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in royal salangor pewter center, we could find interesting pewter product called
'money tree'.


'money tree'
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early malay coinage usually took the form of conventional discs with a central hole,
these were produced following the chinese custom of molding coin-trees known locally
as pohon pitis. the coins would be broken off from their branches and used as currency.
they carried arabic inscriptions and were cast in tin.


arabic inscriptions carved in the coins
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discarded pewter from the finishing process
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pewter is composed of tin, with a small proportion of copper and antimony added to
strengthen it. unlike pewter in the olden days, pewter produced by royal selangor does
not contain lead, and adheres to international standards.


various pewter products by loyar selangor
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the making of money tree.


cleaning the money tree mold
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money tree mold
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liquid pewter
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pouring liquid pewter into the mold
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as pewter has a low melting point and relative softness, it is an ideal material for craftsmen
and designers to work with.


equipment for making the pewter products
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pewter craftperson holding mold firmly
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unfinished money tree next to completed one
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elaborating process
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the material also lends itself to different manufacturing techniques, some of which have
been handed down through many generations.


machine used for elaborating the pewter
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completed money tree
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wall made of pewter tiles
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detail
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the royal selangor story
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