One of Singapore's largest and most impressive museums, the Asian Civilisations Museum has 11 galleries showcasing more than 2,000 artefacts from the civilisations of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. The first floor of galleries charts the story of trade across the region, while the second floor presents systems of faith and belief and the third features materials and design used in Chinese ceramics from the Han to the Qing dynasty.
From April 2, the museum will unveil two new permanent galleries on the third floor, Fashion and Textiles, and Jewellery. The new galleries mark the completion of the museum's multi-year refresh. The new third-floor galleries, along with a refresh of the Ceramics Gallery, are focused on decorative art – and are collectively themed Materials and Design.
At the Fashion and Textiles gallery, have a close look at Indian trade textiles, Southeast Asian batiks, and Chinese embroideries. Its first exhibition titled Fashion Revolution: Chinese dress from the late Qing to 1976 presents 40 stunning examples of Chinese dress, including rare, elaborate dragon robes, early styles of the iconic qipao, and a zhongshan zhuang suit. The other new gallery, Jewellery, will be the first permanent gallery in the world to spotlight island Southeast Asian jewellery. You'll learn about its varied and complex styles, forms, and uses through a showcase of objects from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. A highlight piece is an elaborate Peacock belt, which comprises linked gold panels and 75 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds, believed to be commissioned by a Peranakan woman.