In an aggressively intimate setting, you'll be immersed in a private collector's journey of exploring Peranakan culture through their artefacts.
Terrace houses line the road, tucked away in the Joo Chiat Terrace neighbourhood. Many buildings resemble old shophouses, taking you a step further into the past. As the host welcomes me into his home, my eyes are immediately drawn to the elaborate displays of beaded slippers, porcelain spittoons, tea sets, and majestically carved sideboards. Every corner of the house has an item to show. Every item here has been personally curated, each tied in some way to Peranakan culture. Every item has a story of its own.
A passionate collector, Alvin Yapp has spent over 30 years curating items from Peranakan culture. He adds them to his personal home museum, and allows people to book visits to his home on the weekends to view the collection. That's right - inviting strangers into his own home!
All the while, Alvin takes a personal hand in guiding people through the visit. He works to inform people not just of Peranakan history, but of his own personal experience in growing his collection.
“For me, I think, it was quite clear why I collect Peranakan items,” he says with a wide smile on his face. Because I'm Peranakan and this is my way of telling my story."
The house visit begins with all of us seated around the coffee table, as Alvin answers questions and talks about the beauty of Peranakan Culture - their migration and integration with the local Malay populace, their deep-rooted belief in being pure Chinese on the inside, and their status as aristocrats in many societies.
All the while, Alvin speaks in a friendly, forthcoming manner. He encourages us to ask questions, and talks about his experience in buying some of these items.
He talks a little about his first collected peace in a jovial if sheepish tone. “It would have been a planter's chair… something that is 100% not Peranakan but would have been featured in Peranakan homes. I was told it was Peranakan and I bought it for $70…. and it's still with me!”
When all of us are more comfortable, he begins taking us around the house, showing and explaining the history behind some of the more interesting pieces. There is no script necessary here - Alvin keeps all the knowledge in his brain, explaining the detail of each piece as his gaze wanders over it
He then takes us upstairs to a more privately quartered area. Here he explains, is his more personal space, which meant he couldn't allow photography of the items collected here.
The space above was just as elaborately decorated as below, with rows upon rows of beaded slippers, an impressive collection of bitter leaf boxes and even a splendid marriage altar. Alvin shows us the significance and structure of the Kebaya dress for the Nyonya (Peranakan Ladies), and even tells his own personal experience in acquiring the display of bitter leaf boxes.
He points to a photo of a fierce looking elderly woman in a statuesque throne. “It came from an old person, from someone who [had nothing left]. Normally, in any other household these things would be thrown away. But it seemed like such a waste, so I held on to it.”
Though he definitely had more stories to tell, Alvin gave us a few quiet minutes to peruse the shelves, before guiding us back to the coffee table where tea and some kueh had been prepared for us.
Kueh salat, kueh lapis and kueh bangkit were served alongside tea. While kueh bingka wasn't strictly Nyonyan, Alvin explained how Peranakan culture was really a combination of other cultures. In many respects, their popular cuisine was another example of how Peranakan culture had enriched itself by meshing with others.
Personally, kueh salat was one of my favourite childhood snacks. Having it after so long was certainly a treat!
At the end of the tour, Alvin chats freely with the guests, answering any leftover questions we have about Peranakan culture, or even his personal endeavours.
“It's meaningful," he responds cheerfully to my question about the trouble of having his home be the museum. “Obviously there was some apprehension, but since I love what I've collected and I love sharing with friends and people who are interested, it's something you just have to manage, like any other thing."
It's important to mention that you can redeem your Singaporediscovers vouchers at this personalised museum, and Alvin personally encourages people to come visit with an added, community attraction!
“We are one of the few that are giving back to the community. For every visitor that comes, we actually do a virtual experience [of the house] for the elderly, and we're still looking for sponsors to buy a meal for them during their virtual experience.”
“We've also partnered with Home Team NS and the Social Kitchen for guests to buy merchandise from the back, which is supported and created by many different social enterprises.”
When asked how he maintains his collection, he replies with a joke (which flies over my head).
“We have a Saturday programme where you can come and be a volunteer to clean my house," he grins.
Address: 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, Singapore 4272321
Operating Hours: By booking
Contact: 6440 1148
