One of the biggest ‘unknown known brands’ in the UK market, Royal Selangor, is celebrating a milestone 130th anniversary of the family business this year and, to mark the occasion, the luxury pewter specialist has opened a London Flagship store on the King’s Road.
The store is an elegant representation of the brand, a fusion of modern design and traditional craft. The Chelsea shop showcases the stunning Melon-shaped teapots, inspired by an original piece created by the brand’s founder, as well contemporary items such as the brand new 8515 Collection.
Royal Selangor is shorthand for fine crafted pewter, famed and loved throughout Asia and is to pewter what Swarovski is to crystal, Wedgwood to china and Montblanc to penmanship. Pewter is the fourth most precious metal commercially traded after platinum, gold and silver. As silver has hallmarks, pewter has touch marks. First used in China more than 2000 years ago, pewter is an ancient material, examples of which have been recorded dating back over 3,500 years.
To date, the UK has only been privy to a tiny element of the beautiful and skilled craftsmanship and design Royal Selangor is celebrated for in Asia. The new flagship London store allows the brand to showcase its finest works – and surprise people with the breadth of its collections and the evident craftsmanship required to create each individual piece.
Established in 1885, with direct descendants of the founder still at the helm, Royal Selangor is now 130 years old and sold in more than 20 countries. In the 19th Century, gold lured people to California. In Malaysia it was tin. At just 11 years of age, Royal Selangor co-founder Yong Koon became an apprentice pewtersmith, going on to join his brothers, who had already established themselves as tinsmiths. The Yong brothers began with pewter incense burners, joss stick holders and candle stands, for those anxious to have the gods on their side. And so the journey of the Royal Selangor brand began.
Royal Selangor has also collaborated with luxury brands such as LVMH to create exclusive champagne accessories and has been commissioned to create winners trophies for several high profile sporting events such as Formula One and the Shanghai ATP Masters.
Chelsea’s newest tenant can be found at 261 King’s Road, SW3 (020 7474 5511).
