Located in Ampang Point, Kuala Lumpur, lies Harta, a space that shines a spotlight on this often-overlooked part of history.
Launched last year by the Habib group, Harta – short for “Habib: Action for the Revival of our Traditions and Arts” – features an impressive gallery, a café, and its crowning jewel: a one-of-a-kind jewellery museum.
FMT Lifestyle recently explored Harta’s Heritage Jewelry Museum, finding more than just beautiful artefacts that unveil the stories of Malaysia’s diverse past.
Mirsham Meer, the museum’s director and grandson of the founder, revealed that many of the pieces on display – most over 100 years old, and a handful over 200 years old – were collected over the years by his parents.
“It’s often the case that someone comes to them and says, ‘Hey, my mum or grandma passed away, I don’t know what to do with the jewellery.’ People typically sell it back to jewellery stores or pawn shops, where it gets melted down. But we decided to keep it.”
This decision to preserve rather than repurpose led to the creation of Harta, where the jewellery is now displayed for the public to view.
Mirsham’s mother, born in the 1920s and of Jawi Peranakan descent, naturally influenced the museum’s focus on Peranakan jewellery.
Walking through the museum offers a head-to-toe exploration of the country’s Peranakan cultural attire, starting with ornate hairpins, or cucuk sanggul, to elaborate necklaces, brooches and belts, as well as anklets, known as gelang kaki.
Each piece in the museum’s collection tells its own cultural story with its intricate designs. “Peranakan jewellery is always about the motifs they use,” Mirsham explained.
“For example, the Chinese Peranakan preferred mythical creatures like the phoenix, while the Jawi Peranakan were drawn to cosmic elements like the crescent moon and star.”
In Chinese Peranakan jewellery, designs like clusters of grapes were traditionally gifted to brides, symbolising abundance and fertility. Additionally, while gold was worn for special occasions, silver is reserved for mourning periods.
“Jewellery today is more focused on aesthetics, taking a minimalist approach. But back then, everything had a meaning and significance,” Mirsham pointed out.
One of the most fascinating pieces in the museum is the cucuk sanggul, a set of hairpins used by Peranakan women to hold their elaborately styled buns in place.
“They used five to eight hairpins, all made of gold, and it was common for a woman to gift one of these pins to a child or family member. That’s why it’s so difficult to find a complete set today,” Mirsha revealed.
Indeed, the wealthy Peranakans lived lavishly. “They would invite jewellers to their homes and have them craft pieces on-site for hours. Many of these were custom designs, made exclusively for one family,” shared Mirsham.
But preserving these traditions has not been easy. According to Mirsham, many of the artisans who created these intricate pieces are no longer around, and their craft has not always been passed down to younger generations.
“These jewellers were among the best in the world. Their techniques and innovations, such as detachable kerosangs that can transform into brooches or ear studs, were unmatched,” noted Mirsham.
As appreciation for these traditions wanes, Harta’s mission takes centre stage. Through regular workshops and talks, Harta strives to keep the younger generations enlightened about the significance of these cultural treasures.
“After setting up this museum, customers started asking to purchase similar designs. I believe we’re helping to reignite interest in timeless, heritage jewellery,” he revealed.
“We need to preserve our identity, and that’s what this museum is about,” Mirsham said.
For more information on Harta Space, visit its website and Instagram profile.
Harta Space (above Habib II)
Level 1, Ampang Point
93-95 Lorong Mamanda 2
68000 Ampang
Selangor
Business hours: 10am-5pm (Closed on Monday)