Lecturer’s semi-wooden home houses rare antiques
KANGAR: Many people who pass by Mohamad Jusoh Md Isa’s semiwooden house in Mata Ayer here stop to take photographs of the building and its unique decorations.
Apart from its traditional architecture and colourful ornamental plants, his house also has antique items on display.
A beautifully-decorated trishaw and traditional padi processing equipment are neatly arranged in front of the house, while antique collections are displayed in glass shelves in the living room.
“It started as a hobby when I collected old coins at a young age.
“Later on, I began buying antiques, especially those related to Malay culture,” said the 54-year-old lecturer .
Jusoh and his wife, Fariza Idris, 45, have had countless visitors to their home, including history enthusiasts and university students.
“It took me about five years and RM50,000 to renovate this house and work on the wooden carvings on my own.
“After it was completed, we placed our collections in the living room, which has become a gallery.”
He said some of the items were bought online, while the rest were bought at flea markets in Kedah, Perlis and Penang.
The most expensive item is a gramophone, which they bought at RM2,900 from an antique collector here.
Jusoh said despite their hectic schedule, he and Fariza would explain about the antique items to visitors.
“Visitors can also get hands-on experience operating the antique items, including an ancient Roman iron fire starter,” he said.
The couple’s collection includes old record players, kitchen utensils, banknotes, transistor radios, cameras and old manuscripts.