Of rituals and religion: Asian Civilisations Museum's latest Asian artefacts

Three new galleries at the Asian Civilisations Museum have a South-east Asian focus and cover varied works of Christian, Islamic and ancestral art

(Above) An 'alam (processional standard) from early 18th-century Iran on display in the Islamic Art gallery. The 3.3m-tall piece is made from gilded brass and bronze and enamel. Processional standards like this would have been used during Ashura, whi
(Above) A 16th-century ivory sculpture of the Virgin and Child on display in the Christian Art gallery has jewellery and robes resembling those worn by Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM, DESMOND FOO
(Above) An ‘alam (processional standard) from early 18th-century Iran on display in the Islamic Art gallery. The 3.3m-tall piece is made from gilded brass and bronze and enamel. Processional standards like this would have been used during Ashura, w
(Above) An ‘alam (processional standard) from early 18th-century Iran on display in the Islamic Art gallery. The 3.3m-tall piece is made from gilded brass and bronze and enamel. Processional standards like this would have been used during Ashura, which commemorates the battle of Karbala.
(Above) This Hintha-bird vessel on display in the Ancestors and Rituals gallery dates back to late 19th- or early 20th-century Mandalay. It is made from lacquered and gilded wood with inlaid glass, semi-precious stones and mirror pieces.
(Above) This Hintha-bird vessel on display in the Ancestors and Rituals gallery dates back to late 19th- or early 20th-century Mandalay. It is made from lacquered and gilded wood with inlaid glass, semi-precious stones and mirror pieces.
Published: 
Dec 4, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
Updated
Dec 5, 2018, 12:21 pm

When Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) curator Theresa McCullough found a 19th-century wooden shield in storage, she was surprised to discover that its handle was in the shape of a human figure.

The carving, which shows an ancestor warrior waving a sword, is a powerful symbol meant to protect the shield's bearer.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 04, 2018, with the headline 'Of rituals and religions'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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