Every story has a beginning. Royal Selangor’s coincides with the development of tin mining in the Malay Peninsula. One of the major pillars of the country’s economy in earlier years, mining activities started in the 1820s.  By the late 1800s, Malaya had become the world’s largest tin producer, supplying more than 50% of the world’s tin. 

The Tin Rush brought the Chinese to Malaya by the thousands and Penang emerged as a strategic port for the tin belt stretching from Phuket to Perak.

The first tin smelting operations was set up at Dato Keramat Road to smelt and refine ore from Gopeng, Perak and Phuket. 

Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is the world’s foremost name in quality pewter, a brand synonymous with design and craftsmanship. In the hands of our skilled craftspeople, this versatile alloy of tin, copper and antimony is transformed into an endless variety of homeware and gifts sold in more than twenty countries around the world today.

The Visitor Centre will take you back over a hundred years to the founding of Royal Selangor and its inextricable link with the history of Malaysia, to the present day as the world’s largest pewter brand.

Royal Selangor Visitor Centre invites you to experience the unique world of pewter. Learn about our Malaysian heritage when their guides will tell you about the history of tin mining, what pewter was used for in the early days, and how this Chinese family business grew by finding new uses for pewter over the years.  Then view traditional pewtersmithing tools and antique pewter displayed at the gallery, feel a multitude of pewter textures in the Hall of Finishes and hear the resonant tones of pewter chimes, to learn all about the versatility of pewter.  You can also be amazed by the artisans as they demonstrate several processes of pewter-making.


At Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks, you get to relive the experiences of the olden-day pewtersmith through a fun-filled pewter making session where you get to craft your very own pewter dish through the simple processes of forming, scraping and polishing. At the end of the 30-minute session, you can take home your personalised creation along with a certificate attesting to your newfound skills!

The retail store provide visitors with the latest collections of finely crafted pewter - From charming pendants and photoframes to tea caddies and tea sets.  The latest collection
includes a Peranakan-inspired Peony collection, finely crafted Auspicious plaques that are rich in symbolism, as well as new designs in personal accessories for men and women from Royal Selangor's Men's Acccessories and Plus ranges.