What drives a collector in their endless chase? Is it the passion, the past, or the fortune they trace?
When Chris launched his book, “The Chris Ong Collection, I knew I had to be there — to learn about the other niche areas of Peranakan collections he’s amassed over the years and the stories behind them. As Chris’s muse, Daphne, shared during the launch, an antique shop owner once remarked of Chris: “He’s a very, very clever man because he’s going to make a lot of money.” But, as Daphne emphasized, Chris’s focus has never been on making money. “He’s already done that. His focus is on collecting things he’s truly passionate about.”
This definitely made me wonder how Chris’s journey started as a collector. I got a fair share of answers and stories about his journey — both in his sharing that day and in the book itself.
Guardians of Heritage: Chris’s Life Mission & Destiny
Chris Ong, a fifth-generation Penang-born Baba, was shaped by the stories of his maternal grandmother, Ong Kooi Kee, whose once opulent Peranakan life had been marked by chinaware, intricate silverware, and precious jewelry — treasures that she had to surrender during World War II. “We had a cupboard full of those,” she would say, reminiscing about the lost items. This early loss sparked a lifelong passion in Chris to restore and preserve the cultural heritage his grandmother had once cherished.
Chris was also deeply concerned about the scattering of valuable Peranakan artifacts sourced from Penang families, many of which had found their way into museums in Singapore. “There’s an urgency to keep this quantity of stuff, they belong back where they can be understood and cherished,” he reflected, recalling his first encounter with familiar antiques far from their homeland. “My collection came together with one goal: to bring as many Straits Chinese artifacts back to Georgetown as possible and I always give priority to buying things that have strong family and cultural ties,” he added, underscoring his commitment to keeping the legacy of the Penang peranakan alive for future generations.
Nurturing the Passion of Young Collectors
Every journey starts small, and Chris’s path to becoming a renowned collector of Peranakan antiques began when he was just 13 or 14 years old. He would often visit antique shops, where a second-hand dealer, who would later become one of Penang’s top dealers, sometimes showed him pity. More often, though, the dealer would dismiss him, saying, “Don’t ever bother looking; you can’t afford it.” Despite this early discouragement, Chris’s passion for collecting never wavered. By the time he was in his late teens, he had acquired some valuable pieces, including a stunning embroidered tapestry. Reflecting on his journey at his book launch, Chris shared, “At the end of the day, a little kindness goes a long way. If you’re running a shop or working with young people who are passionate about something, remember that the hardest thing for them is finding their passion. When they find it at a young age, one should not cut it off.”
Chris’s journey into antiques back during the days took a pivotal turn back in the day when he met Graham Geddes, a renowned dealer in Melbourne. Initially hesitant to step into his shop, Chris was drawn in by a beautiful mother-of-pearl scholar cabinet displayed in the window. Though he half-expected to be dismissed, as young collectors often are, this encounter reinforced Chris’s belief in the importance of nurturing youthful enthusiasm. “We desperately need fresh collectors to keep this fascinating world vibrant and thriving—it’s essential for passing on our cultural heritage and keeping the antique market alive,” Chris notes in his book.
Chris encourages new collectors to ask themselves: “Why do you want to start a collection? Who is it for? For yourself or to leave a legacy?” He emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose and plan. “Without focus, you might end up with a jumble of items,” he warns. And with so many scams in the market, he stresses that acquiring knowledge and understanding what you want to collect is key to making informed, valuable decisions.
The Furniture That Traveled Around the World Came Back Home
In the early 1980s, Graham Geddes embarked on a memorable journey that would come to intertwine with Chris’s own. Renting a truck, Graham drove from Singapore to Penang, collecting Straits Chinese antiques along the way. These treasures would eventually find their way back to Melbourne, where they were carefully displayed in Graham’s shop for years. By the time Chris became a partner in stockbroking and could afford these pieces, he struck a deal with Graham with the intention of taking back to Penang.
Two decades later, when Chris left Australia, the furniture made its way back to Penang. It had traveled across the world—gracing his homes in Melbourne and Sydney—but now, after its long journey, it was finally returning to its rightful home in Georgetown. As Chris puts it, “They had their good holiday, their grand tour around Australia, and now they’re back where they started.”
A Home for Chris Ong Collection
Chris shared his vision for the future: “We are just custodians, guardians of these things and I don’t plan for my collection to end up in a museum. Instead, I want to create something unique—a resource centre where people interested in studying Peranakan culture can come and learn. It won’t just be about displaying objects; it will encompass the entire lifestyle and history behind these treasures.”
Chris also mentioned the J. Thompson Museum, which he admires for preserving not just objects but the entire lifestyle and cultural context. “I like how it isn’t just about the objects, but about the life they represent. That’s something I’d like to do. I want to create something in my lifetime that I am happy with.”
Despite having an extensive collection, Chris said, “I don’t think I’ll ever stop collecting. While I’m not on such a huge mission now, because I’ve acquired so much already, I’ll still be adding pieces that make sense.” He added, “It’s about making the collection more accessible, expanding it both horizontally and vertically, in ways that make it meaningful and relevant.”
Understanding Chris’s approach—his patience, his passion for uncovering the missing pieces, and his purpose behind every choice—can be transformative. This isn’t a book to flaunt a collection; it’s a compilation of stories designed to shape your perspective as a thoughtful, enduring collector. By knowing the story and his divine plan, you’ll gain deeper insight into the art of collecting, not just as a pursuit but as a meaningful journey.
The interesting part of a book launch? Well, just like every Nyonya tableware carries a stamp or mark, I queued up for the stamp — Chris’s signature — to complete my first “Chris Ong Collection.”
If you find yourself in Penang, be sure to visit Chris Ong’s Hotel – Georgetown Heritage Hotel Collections. Explore the stunning Peranakan antiques and learn about Chris’s dedication to preserving Penang’s rich heritage. Don’t forget to pick up a copy of “The Chris Ong Collection” — a perfect way to take a piece of this unique cultural legacy home with you.
