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Thong Guat Hong
Pewtersmith, New Product Development & Training
In Safe Hands
“I love making beautiful things and so when Royal Selangor was looking for artisans, I signed up,” says Guat Hong. She was 18 years old, fresh out of school.
She started out polishing pewter in the manufacturing department. Over the years, she has mastered many skills from polishing, assembling, soldering and finishing.
“I better myself by closely observing senior artisans. When I went to work, I made sure I sat nearby Wah Moi, who was very good at handwork, especially at soldering. Every pewtersmith has their own unique way of soldering. I would quietly observe Wah Moi and develop my own techniques, through trial and error,” explains Guat Hong.
In 2014, she was one of the artisans chosen by the company to work on Shori, a koi sculpture which featured the age-old Japanese Maki-e technique, in a one-of-a-kind collaboration with Zohiko, 300-year-old Japanese lacquerware brand.
“Some people might feel a bit intimidated by doing something new. But when I’m shown a sketch of a product, the first thing that comes to my mind is how do I make it. When the piece is big and intricate, I start with the easiest task and gradually work my way up. It's a good way of motivating myself,” says Guat Hong. Today, she is the lead trainer to all who are eager to learn the art of pewtersmithing.
“It feels good to share what I’ve learnt with the next generation. I’ve been lucky to work with raw talents like Nor Nabila and Nurul Fazirah, who, like me, enjoy making beautiful things. When they don’t get it right the first time, I advise them to be patient and keep at it. After all, practice makes perfect! I hope to see more young people take up pewtersmithing,” adds Guat Hong, a mother of two grown sons.
An artisan’s life is one that embraces lifelong learning and excellence. It also means being resilient and persevering together even when the going gets tough. With pewtersmiths like Guat Hong, Royal Selangor is able to nurture a new generation of artisans who will take the brand forward with their creativity, innovative spirit and passion.
She started out polishing pewter in the manufacturing department. Over the years, she has mastered many skills from polishing, assembling, soldering and finishing.
“I better myself by closely observing senior artisans. When I went to work, I made sure I sat nearby Wah Moi, who was very good at handwork, especially at soldering. Every pewtersmith has their own unique way of soldering. I would quietly observe Wah Moi and develop my own techniques, through trial and error,” explains Guat Hong.
In 2014, she was one of the artisans chosen by the company to work on Shori, a koi sculpture which featured the age-old Japanese Maki-e technique, in a one-of-a-kind collaboration with Zohiko, 300-year-old Japanese lacquerware brand.
“Some people might feel a bit intimidated by doing something new. But when I’m shown a sketch of a product, the first thing that comes to my mind is how do I make it. When the piece is big and intricate, I start with the easiest task and gradually work my way up. It's a good way of motivating myself,” says Guat Hong. Today, she is the lead trainer to all who are eager to learn the art of pewtersmithing.
“It feels good to share what I’ve learnt with the next generation. I’ve been lucky to work with raw talents like Nor Nabila and Nurul Fazirah, who, like me, enjoy making beautiful things. When they don’t get it right the first time, I advise them to be patient and keep at it. After all, practice makes perfect! I hope to see more young people take up pewtersmithing,” adds Guat Hong, a mother of two grown sons.
An artisan’s life is one that embraces lifelong learning and excellence. It also means being resilient and persevering together even when the going gets tough. With pewtersmiths like Guat Hong, Royal Selangor is able to nurture a new generation of artisans who will take the brand forward with their creativity, innovative spirit and passion.