Rare finds and pieces of history
Century-old windmill drink dispenser among vintage items at KL collectible fair

A century-old windmill drink dispenser was among the many interesting items featured in a collectible fair held at Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) Heritage Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Alongside this item which had been donated for Collectible Fair 2024, an array of antiques, chinaware, brassware, furniture and oriental rugs were on display at the centre in Jalan Stonor.

A visitor who only wanted to be known as Al, described the fair as a treasure trove of rare finds.

Among the things spotted at the fair was a set of traditional Turkish ceramic decanter and four goblets, designed by Chez Galip.

There were also original paintings and prints featuring Canadian Forces College in Ontario, a river in Paris, and Medan Pasar, the historic heart of Kuala Lumpur.

A collector, who identified herself as Andia, was delighted to find an impressionist painting of the Bali Sea as she was looking for vintage pieces to decorate her home.

Some of the preloved artworks seen at BWM Heritage Centre in Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur

Another visitor, Maylinch, saw the fair as an opportunity to reconnect with her cultural roots.

“Having lived in Indonesia for 40 years, I’ve come to realise the uniqueness of Malaysia.

“This fair provides an opportunity for me to re-establish my roots,” she said.

BWM general manager Vanessa Loong said the fair was a collaborative effort between donors, members and vendors.

“Many items were preloved and graciously donated by members, while others were consigned by regular vendors.”

She said members and experts had also donated their services.

“When items are donated to us, the items are diligently filtered, retouched and priced by our experts,” she highlighted.

The primary objective of the collectible fair, Loong said, was to raise funds for BWM.

1920s windmill drink dispenser donated for sale at the collectible fair.

“Our ongoing maintenance and restoration efforts for historical sites, such as the British colonial house and Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, require continuous funding.

“Since we do not receive any financial aid from the government, we rely heavily on donations and modest membership fees.

“In addition to fundraising events like the collectible fair, we organise educational programmes and activities to generate funds and raise awareness about heritage conservation,” said Loong.

One such programme is the Cultural Experience Programme at Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman curated for children aged eight to 12.

It aims to introduce to the younger generation the significance of understanding and appreciating Malaysia’s history and heritage.

Collectible Fair 2024 organiser Elizabeth Moggie expressed her appreciation for Malaysia’s rich architectural heritage and passion for preserving old buildings and communities.

“Through events such as this fair and educational initiatives, I hope to preserve Malaysia’s unique architectural heritage for our future generations,” she said.
collectible fair 2024,Badan Warisan Malaysia,Cultural Experience Programme,Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman,Malaysia's architectural heritage
A century-old windmill drink dispenser was among the many interesting items featured in a collectible fair held at Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) Heritage Centre in Kuala Lumpur.