Tushanwan pagodas reunite in Singapore after a century

A unique collection of handcrafted pagoda models from Shanghai has returned to Singapore after more than a century. Originally displayed at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, more than 80 pagodas modeled after real ones in China are now on display at the Asian Civilizations Museum.

Handcrafted in Shanghai, these 84 model pagodas first captivated audiences at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Now, after more than a century, they are reunited in Singapore for public display, having traveled an extraordinary journey.

Kevin Lam, Curator of Chinese Art at the Asian Civilization Museum, commented: "When these pagodas were first showcased in San Francisco, it was one of the first times when modern China and America came into contact. This also speaks to Singapore’s modern position as the exchange hub between the East and the West."

The models provided the West with a first glimpse of China's architectural marvels and craftsmanship. Created by orphans at Shanghai's Tushanwan workshop, they remain significant for their historical accuracy. Notably, the model of Shanghai’s oldest surviving pagoda, the Dragon Flower, reveals details lost in modern restorations.

"This is Kaiyuan, one of the major pagodas in northern China. The model captures the shape, format, and many details realistically. For example, there are construction holes on the surface used to hold beams for additional wooden structures," Lam added.

He added, "At the base, there are paintings that never existed on the actual pagoda, showing the workshop’s creative input."

Regarding the Great Pagoda of Repaying Kindness in Nanjing, Lam said, "This pagoda was decorated with early glass, which Westerners mistook for porcelain, hence its nickname, the 'Porcelain Pagoda.' Although it was destroyed in the mid-19th century, the Tushanwan workshop recreated it based on visual sources."

Next to it is the brick core of the original Leifeng Pagoda, damaged by fire during the Ming Dynasty. These models not only chronicle China's architectural heritage but also preserve the memory of these ancient structures for future generations. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore.