Antique Museum

The museum holds a rich collection of stone carvings, ancient stone and iron-age weapons, wooden statues, traditional Kerala art form costumes, sculptures from churches of the bygone era, Victorian furniture, ancient agricultural equipment, household items, musical instruments belonging to the Attappady tribes. The 8,000 years old Bushman stone, a flat round stone with a hole drilled through the centre which was believed to have been used by bushmen for hunting, is the main attraction of the museum. It has been put up inside a glass shelf on the wall of the museum.

Nannangadi is yet another attraction of the museum. It is a 3,000-year-old ancient burial urn covered with a round shaped stone slab. Terracotta pottery collected from these burial urns are also showcased at the museum. In addition to this, a 1,300 year-old monk spade which was carried by Buddhist Monks during their travels, 800-year-old bronze pots from the Chola period which was used to safeguard gold kept underground, the 15th century cannon ball, made of iron lead used by Tipu Sultan’s army and the 15th century stone cannon ball, used by Kunjali Marakar, are also showcased.

The museum also boasts of a collection of Christian art works. A 150-year-old Quran, the Torah Scroll( Holy book of Jews), a royal letter of a prince’s concern on the upkeep of the royal stables are other interesting pieces in the collection.
Handicrafts are what occupy nearly half of the museum’s space. Indian embroidery, curved wood, home decors, gift items, paintings are some of the objects kept in the museum for sale. Almost all the items in the museum are archeologically registered and certified. The museum is kept open on all days free of entrance fee.

Getting there
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam Railway Station, about 9 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 41 km
Google map coordinates: X746+93 Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala.