The Intan is a private museum that collects all things Peranakan. It's the home-museum of collector Alvin Yapp (left in the picture).

I had thought that The Intan is actually the Peranakan Museum at 39 Armenian Street. Apparently not. These are two different buildings. The Intan is located at 69 Joo Chiat Terrance

Urban Sketchers Singapore were invited for a house visit and sketch today. The place is packed with not just us, but Alvin's family and there is a film crew there as well. It's crowded.

The amount of items collected is amazing. We were given a short introduction to Peranakan culture and on hindsight it was really too short because there are just too many stuff to check out.

This is the ancestral altar. Bought, not passed down.

The living room. Alvin is only working part time at The Intan. But the museum is open for appointments and events.

Alvin also plays the piano beautifully. We were honoured to hear him perform a few pieces.

There are two floors worth of items. The upper floor also has his bedroom.

Every piece of collected item seem to be really detailed in design.

The house design is a bit unusual. Normally, the second floor would extend all the way. In the case of this museum, it doesn't extend all the way, so you can see the roof when you step in from the front door. It really gives the place a spacious feeling.

Even the stairs are lined up with items.

I wonder how much time is spent cleaning the whole house each day.

Check out the intricate carvings all over the place.

This is the show and tell.

This is my first piece.

My second piece.

The sketch article created for TNP.