In the center of Singapore, on the picturesque bank of the Singapore River, stands an architectural masterpiece that preserves the centuries-old heritage of the continent—the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). This is not just a collection of artifacts; it is a large-scale narrative about the interconnections of cultures, trade routes, beliefs, and artistic traditions that shaped Asia.
Museum Architecture
Originally, this was the Empress Place Building, constructed in 1865 and named after Queen Victoria. The majestic neoclassical building with a snow-white facade, massive columns, and spacious verandas is a vivid example of British colonial architecture. Throughout its history, it served as a government institution, a court, and a college before finding its cultural mission.
A large-scale restoration and adaptation of the building for the museum`s needs was completed in 2003. The architects managed to combine the historical appearance with modern requirements. Inside, visitors are greeted by spacious atriums with high ceilings. Natural light falls through the glass roofs.
Foundation History
The idea of creating a museum dedicated to Asian cultures was born in 1993. It was first opened in 1997 in the old Tao Nan School building in the Armenian Church area. However, the rapid growth of the collection and the desire to create something grand required a new, more suitable home.
On March 15, 2003, the Asian Civilisations Museum opened its doors in the restored Empress Place Building. Its philosophy from the very beginning differed from the approaches of other museums. If the National Museum of Singapore tells the story of the city-state itself, then the ACM places Singapore in a broader context—as a point of intersection of Asian civilizations, a node of the Maritime Silk Road. This is a museum not about Singapore, but about the cultural forces that shaped it and the entire region.
The museum`s exposition is organized not by country, but by civilizational regions and themes, emphasizing their interconnection. The main galleries occupy three floors.
Ground Floor: Southeast Asia
This gallery is the heart of the museum, most relevant for understanding the region. It is dedicated to the ancient kingdoms and cultures of Southeast Asia, such as Srivijaya, Majapahit, Funan, and states in the territories of modern Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Themes: Trade in spices and gold, the influence of India and China, the development of own artistic styles, animistic beliefs, and the arrival of world religions—Hinduism and Buddhism.
Key exhibits: Here you can see exquisite gold jewelry from the "Golden Royal Cave" of Indonesia, Hindu statues of Shiva and Vishnu made of stone and bronze, as well as a rich collection of ceramics.
First Floor: China and South Asia (India)
This floor is divided into two powerful sections, demonstrating two great cradles of Asian civilization.
China Gallery: Traces the history of the Middle Kingdom from the Shang to the Qing dynasties. Separate halls are dedicated to Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, and their influence on art. Special attention is paid to trade along the Silk Road and maritime routes.
South Asia Gallery: Tells about the rich cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent. The exposition covers the origins of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, the era of the Great Mughals, and beyond. Here, elegant sculptures of gods, miniatures, textiles, and jewelry are presented.
Second Floor: West Asia and the Islamic World
This gallery is dedicated to the regions lying to the west of Singapore but closely connected with it through trade and religion.
Themes: Here, the world of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and Central Asia is explored. The main focus is on the origin and spread of Islam, its influence on art, science, and trade. Separate displays tell about pre-Islamic civilizations, such as the Persian Empire.
Key exhibits: A beautiful collection of Iznik ceramics, Syrian glass, Persian carpets, illuminated Qur`an manuscripts, and objects of decorative and applied art.
Thematic Galleries:
In addition to geographical ones, the museum has thematic galleries, such as "Trade Ideas and Inspiration," which shows how not only goods but also artistic styles, technologies, and religious ideas were transmitted through trade. The "Christian Art in Asia" gallery demonstrates a little-known side of Asian history—the presence and influence of Christianity, starting with the Nestorians as early as the 1st millennium AD.
The Most Valuable and Iconic Exhibits of the Museum
Among the thousands of artifacts, some stand out for their special historical and artistic value.
Treasures from the shipwreck of the "Tek Sing" ("True Star"): This is one of the most dramatic and valuable collections of the museum. The Chinese merchant ship "Tek Sing" sank in 1822 near the coast of Indonesia. In 1999, it was discovered, raising over 350,000 items from the seabed, mostly porcelain from the Qing era.
Singapore Stone: A fragment of a large sandstone monolith with an ancient inscription, discovered at the mouth of the Singapore River in the 19th century. The inscription, dating back to the 10th-14th centuries, is made in a variant of ancient Javanese or Old Malay script. This is one of the oldest material evidences of the island`s history, linking it to the Srivijaya Empire.
Shiva Panel from Chamba (Vietnam): A magnificent example of Cham art, dating back to the 10th-11th centuries. The sandstone slab depicts Shiva in an elegant, dynamic pose. This sculpture testifies to the deep influence of Hinduism in the territory of modern Vietnam.
Collection of Jian Ware (Dark Ware): Rare and highly valued tea bowls from China of the Song Dynasty era (10th-13th centuries). Their unique dark, often streaked and spotted, glaze was considered the pinnacle of aesthetics in the tea ceremony.
Gold Jewelry from the Sanctuary of the Holy Mountain (West Java): Stunningly crafted gold diadems, necklaces, and pendants found at a site associated with the ancient Tarumanagara kingdom. They demonstrate the highest level of skill of Southeast Asian jewelers in the 5th-7th centuries.
The Asian Civilisations Museum is more than a collection of antiquities. It offers a deep and multifaceted look at the roots of modern Asia. Walking through its halls, the visitor takes a journey through time and space: from the Hindu temples of Java to the palaces of Chinese emperors.
