Master Lim has been making lions head for over 50 years. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, master crafter Lim Meng Kok is racing against time to complete the last of the 100 orders for handcrafted lion heads he has taken on this year.
His workshop on the first floor of a shop lot in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, has been a hive of non-stop activity since November. But as the festivities approach, Lim is kicking things into high gear as he and his team of 10 rush to put the final touches on the sought-after creations.
Subscribe to The Star Yearly Premium Plan for 30% off
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App.
Monthly Plan
RM 13.90/month
RM 9.73/month
Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.
Annual Plan
RM 12.39/month
RM 8.63/month
Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
Master of his craft
Master Lim has been making lions head for over 50 years. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
- YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Lim has been making lions head for close to 50 years.
- YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Work in progress to create a fut san lion head. Yes, the one with the sharp horn.
- YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Rattan strips are bent to form the base on the lion's head.
- YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Lim (centre) hopes to train his daughter Seow Ling (right) and his son-in-law, Kau the art of making lion heads.
Rattan is used to craft the frame of the lion head.
Kau holds up a completed frame of a lion head that has been carefully covered in kite paper and cloth.
Lim created these tiger heads to mark the Year of the Tiger in 2022.
Yellow and red coloured lion heads are popular during the Chinese New Year as it symbolises prosperity and luck. Photo: Facebook/Lo Fo Chi Enterprise
The fut san lion head has a curved mouth and sharp horn. Photo: Facebook/Lo Fo Chi Enterprise
Everyone has a specific task in the production of the lion heads in Lim’s workshop.
