Coolies that Moved the Nation (c. 1900s)
My dad was one of those that came as part of the Chinese diaspora. And he came, and he started a family, and he settled here. And he never returned to his hometown.
Category: Singapore Treasures
Artefacts related to Singapore’s history
Treasures – Straits Chinese Panel Belt (c. mid 20th century)
SIngapore is a melting pot of cultures and people, and Peranakans are one of the successful results of that amalgamation.
National Treasure – Portrait of Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham (1904)
One of the most recognisable portrait in Singapore besides Raffles as we grew up with this image in our Social Study textbook.
Treasures – Silver Epergne for William Farquhar (c. 1823)
We were led to believe he was sacked for incompetence but actually he should get credits for modern Singapore.
Treasures – Portrait of Sir Stamford Raffles (1912)
His claim to fame was founding a desert island that became the modern Singapore.
National Treasure – Mace of the City of Singapore (1953)
A mace that represents the elevation of the status of Singapore from town to city.
Malaysia Day 1963
Today marks the day in 1963 when Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined Malaya to become part of Federation of Malaysia.
National Treasure – Majapahit Armlet and Earrings (c. 14th century)
Discovered in 1928 while building a reservoir on Fort Canning Hill, it proved that 14th century Singapore was quite fashionable.
National Treasure – Singapore Stone (c. 14th century)
A blast from the past, a piece of blasted sandstone that defined the existence of the “Lion City”.
Treasures – Javanese Gold Jewellery (c. 14th Century)
Gold jewellery with Javanese origins from the 14th century, linking the Javanese diaspora in Singapore.