Thursday, June 3, 2010
♥ Research for the Abu Bakar Museum
Research for the museum
The Abu Bakar museum was one of the oldest buildings in Johor and was commissioned by Sultan Abu Bakar who laid the fountain stone in 1864. This building was completed in 1866. It is in the Renaissance style and was built by local workmen under the supervision of a European architect. This palace was of course named after Sultan Abu Bakar. It comprises the main building or Grand Palace, which houses the treasures of the royal household, including four-poster teak beds. Even now, the bedrooms are still used for the lying-in-state of deceased members of the Johor royal family.
This building is an architectural wonder. Located within Istana Besar in Johor Bahru, this building had an Anglo-Malay influence. Many pieces of the furniture was ordered by Sultan Abu Bakar himself in 1866 in England. Even the laying out of the Palace gardens was directed by the Sultan. The gardens are filled with many varieties of plants and flowers. This building was opened to the public on May 11, 1990.This place was only founded by Sultan Iskandar in 1990 even though completion of the museum ended in 1866.
The palace is still used for state ceremonies and official functions today. This museum displays many artefacts which are important in the state’s history and the local Malay culture. The building has been enlarged and renovated several times. In 1912 the east wing was pulled down and the present Banquet Hall was erected in its place. Today the Palace is mainly used for State ceremonies and official functions, although since February 1982, it has filled an additional role as the Royal Abu Bakar museum, displaying the art treasures of the Royal collection and historical relics of the Sultanate of Johor. Among the collection of beautiful rare antiques, the exhibits that awe visitors at this royal museum are the Chinese and Malay carved wooden pieces. The museum expanded its collections of artefacts very actively during this era up to 1997. The locals eagerly surrendered and provided as gifts certain unique artefacts to the museum. One example of these is a Keris (a type of Malay dagger) which was found by a young man in a river about 20 km from the town of Pekan. This particular Keris drew a lot of attention, coupled with strange stories of its mystical prowess. The Keris is still on display at the museum. Among the collection of beautiful rare antiques, the exhibits that awe visitors at this royal museum are the Chinese and Malay carved wooden pieces.
This museum has many rooms displaying crystal ware, silverware, gold and silver ornaments, priceless vases, furniture, traditional Malay weapons, silver trophies, family treasures etc.There is a library, dining room, drawing rooms,bedrooms,reception area, banqueting hall, throne room, hunting room and many other rooms there too.
The throne room continues to be used every year for investiture ceremonies on the Ruler’s birthday. The patterns of the carpet here are repeated. There is a pair of gilt thrones in the front with the bigger one for the king and the smaller for the queen. This room is located in the North wing. The banqueting hall can seat up to 250 guests whereas the reception room has much breathtaking Baccarat crystal furniture.
There are also the weapon room, hunting room, cutlery room etc.
The hunting room is filled with animals the Sultan had hunted. The animals he hunted include the elephants, tigers, turtles and a crocodile etc.The cutlery room is where many ceramic, glass and metal cutleries were displayed. There is a room for textiles and costumes. There is also a room for silverware. The silverwares include the egg stand, coffeepot, cups, jugs and teapots. Some of them were electroplated with a layer of silver. There is also a room for gold and silver collection. There is an ice-pail from the Great Britain displayed there. There is yet an area showing all the medals the sultan had achieved.Lastly, there is a place selling mementoes.
In the front of the building lies a large garden.
Done by:
Jia En and Yi Juan
<< The Throne Room
<< The Banqueting Hall 
7:11 AM
