The Charming of Sino-Portuguese
The remnant of the western culture traveling through space and time, mixed with the Chinese traditions created the splendid Shino-Portuguese buildings that line up in Phuket’s old town. The beauties of architecture from the two continents along with their decoration reflect the prosperity and successful relations between Phuket and the outside world.
The Sino and the Portuguese first met in Macao, a former colony of Portugal. The word “Sino-Portuguese” was invented to call the shop houses that had the European structure but build by the Chinese resulting in a unique style that eventually formed the Sino-Portuguese type.
Spice trading around Malaga, Malay coast becomes prospered during 15-16th century. While in China, faced with economic depression and politic, some Chinese migrated here. Not only the Chinese but also the Indian, Arabian, and Portuguese who were then the main spice traders. And was to point where the arts and cultures from different origins collided. Sino-Portuguese was introduced again in her new homes such as Singapore, Malaysia, Penang, and also in Siam’s port towns (Back then Thailand was known as Siam) such as Hatyai and Phuket. The latter later was very successful from the mining industry in 19th century; by then there a substantial amount of Chinese settled in the province.
There are 3 types of Sino-Portuguese buildings. First, the public buildings (Thai-Hua museum on Krabi Road, On-On hotel and The Charter Bank on Phang-nga Road), Second, mansions (Shin-Pra-Sha House on Krabi Road, Thai Airways on Ranong Road, Raya Restaurant on Debuk Road) and lastly, the shop houses on Debuk Road, Krabi, Talang Roads and Rommanee alley all of which were well-liked by the Chinese as those areas were blessed with their customers.
The structure of Shino-Portuguese buildings displays the influence of the western world. The Greek-roman shafts from the classic time, the carvings from the Renaissance, Arched lined on the foot path served as fenced are from Colonial style architecture. But the same time the Chinese heritage still plays an influential part as the creators and the owners of the Shino-Portuguese buildings. The Chinese buildings makers are known not as labours but rather as gifted artists who would leave their signatures on their creation. And the shop house owners would open the skylights to let the wind pass, the rain and sunlight get on to the ground. This makes the narrow house looks wider and gives more useful spaces closer to nature, also allows the beautiful sign of the moon at night. At the area endowed with the sunlight is usually made a lower ground and a well would also made here for water usage within the house hold and to provide a cooling atmosphere in this very hot town. The Chinese call this kind of house well Chim-Chea.
The colorful patterns are one of the Shino-Portuguese traits. The blending of solidarity from the western structure (the design inspired by the Corinthian and Composite order in the Classic era, and geometric shaped Art Deco) and the Chinese beliefs (the good fortuned symbols that are placed in a high location within the house. They represent the 3 blessings, luck, prosperity, and perpetuity. For example, a peony means prosperity, Cherry blossom is perpetuity, and coins represent richness) and the art of the Muslim whom once governed the Portuguese. (The wood carvings on window frames are inspired by Moresque Art). There are also considerable amount of the Islamic living in this area.
Art becomes interesting when you feel it, and it will be even more when you known its history. The same as the Shino-Portuguese buildings n Phuket. The art that has traveled across the oceans and a sea of time.
