The large spittoon would have been found around the house would have been used by Peranakans (nyonyas in particular) who continued to chew betel nut (or sireh) and needed a vessel to spit into.Tan Kheam Hock was a prominent Peranakan Chinese from Penang who made his wealth in finance and banking. In Singapore, he was a Municipal Councillor, Justice of Peace, member of the Chinese Advisory Panel, the Straits Chinese British Association and Chairman of the Eastern United Assurance Cooperation. Most importantly, in his time as Municipal Councillor, he conceptualised the setting aside of Bukit Brown as a public cemetery for all Chinese irrespective of dialect together with See Tiong Wah and other Hokkien community leaders.
