NUS Press Singapore

Southeast Asian Archaeological Site Reports

The Empress Place (EMP) Site: A Preliminary Report

Unique Artifacts in the Collection: A Selection

Goh Geok Yian, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, John Miksic, National University of Singapore & Nanyang Technological University Singapore

2022

Figure 18. VOC coin 1735. Such coins were used in Singapore until the mid-19th century CE
Figure 18. VOC coin 1735. Such coins were used in Singapore until the mid-19th century CE
Figure 19. Lead bullet and stone mould [early 19th century CE]
Figure 19. Lead bullet and stone mould [early 19th century CE]
Figure 20. Iron cannonball, date uncertain
Figure 20. Iron cannonball, date uncertain
Figures 21 and 22. Tobacco Pipes and close-up of design on tobacco pipeFigures 21 and 22. Tobacco Pipes and close-up of design on tobacco pipe
Figures 21 and 22. Tobacco Pipes and close-up of design on tobacco pipe
Figure 23. Burmese white tin/lead glazed bowl, possibly 16th century CE excavated from Unit C2 Spit 1
Figure 23. Burmese white tin/lead glazed bowl, possibly 16th century CE excavated from Unit C2 Spit 1
Figure 24. Javanese terracotta head
Figure 24. Javanese terracotta head
Figure 25. Carved earthenware from the Philippines
Figure 25. Carved earthenware from the Philippines
Figure 26. Fritware, possibly from Persia; date uncertain. This is the only piece of Persian ware found in Singapore.
Figure 26. Fritware, possibly from Persia; date uncertain. This is the only piece of Persian ware found in Singapore.
Figure 27. Gacuk (perhaps used as tokens)
Figure 27. Gacuk (perhaps used as tokens)
Figure 28. Inlaid glass shard and bangle from EMP.
Figure 28. Inlaid glass shard and bangle from EMP.

Most 14th-century CE glass has been found on Fort Canning. Based on chemical composition, the glass was made in China. The bottles are decorated with sophisticated techniques. The bangle fragment may have been made on Fort Canning by recycling broken glass.

Figure 29. Green porcelain lid
Figure 29. Green porcelain lid
Figure 30. Green porcelain charger
Figure 30. Green porcelain charger
Figure 31. Green porcelain plate with fish decoration, from EMP Square C4 Spit 1
Figure 31. Green porcelain plate with fish decoration, from EMP Square C4 Spit 1
Figure 32. Flaming Pearl motif on white <em>qingpai</em> porcelain base from EMP unit C4 Spit 3
Figure 32. Flaming Pearl motif on white qingpai porcelain base from EMP unit C4 Spit 3
Figures 33-35. White/<em>qingbai</em> porcelain figurines.Figures 33-35. White/<em>qingbai</em> porcelain figurines.Figures 33-35. White/<em>qingbai</em> porcelain figurines.
Figures 33-35. White/qingbai porcelain figurines.
Figures 36–37. Chinese Yuan blue and white porcelainFigures 36–37. Chinese Yuan blue and white porcelain
Figures 36–37. Chinese Yuan blue and white porcelain
Figures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swanFigures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swanFigures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swanFigures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swanFigures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swanFigures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swan
Figures 38–43 Chinese Ming blue and white porcelain sherds showing a variety of motifs including lion, human figure, and swan
Figure 44. Vietnamese blue and white porcelain base, 15th century CE
Figure 44. Vietnamese blue and white porcelain base, 15th century CE
Figure 45. Thai (Sawankhalok) stoneware, 15th century CE
Figure 45. Thai (Sawankhalok) stoneware, 15th century CE
Figure 46. Lead statue depicting a figure riding a winged horse in <em>wayang kulit</em> style.
Figure 46. Lead statue depicting a figure riding a winged horse in wayang kulit style.

This is one of the most important objects yet discovered in Singapore. It is the only known statue made of lead in ancient Southeast Asia. Its stylized depiction of a man on a winged horse is also unique, both in artistry and subject matter. It can most closely be compared to stone relief carvings from 14th-century East Java. This image together with the terracotta head found at EMP reinforce historical sources which portray Temasek as part of the Majapahit empire. The theme of a man riding on a winged horse echoes the legend of Raja Chulan in the Malay Annals/Sejarah Melayu. He was an Indian ruler who visited Temasek, explored a kingdom beneath the Singapore Strait, sired three princes, one of whom changed the island’s name to Singapore, and returned to the mouth of the Singapore River on a winged horse.

Figure 47 Bronze projectile point
Figure 47 Bronze projectile point

Supported by National Heritage Board Heritage Research Grant, Singapore. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Heritage Board, Singapore.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56159.sitereport11