The Ottoman dynasty which started with its founder Osman Gazi in 1281 was in power for over 600 years. Not only is their empire one of the world’s long-lasting, in its prime it was also one of the largest. The sultans ruled over vast territories in the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. Aside from being the centre of government, the Topkapi Palace, which was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, was also the centre of art and culture. From the land of the Ottoman Sultans is published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name at the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore.

Price: S$23.80

This catalogue has been written to accompany the special loan exhibition ‘Egyptian Treasures from the British Museum’, which was mounted first in the Hong Kong Museum of Art and later in the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore. The exhibition contains over 120 artefacts specially selected to illustrated major aspects of Egyptian art and culture. Published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name at the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore.

Price: S$35.00

This exquisitely illustrated catalogue explores the importance of calligraphy in the Islamic world drawing from the collection of the Tareq Rajab Museum, a private museum in Kuwait. The art of writing the Arabic language – calligraphy - is regarded as the supreme achievement of Islamic art, enjoying a distinction and importance unsurpassed in the Arab world. This book introduces the various scripts developed and practiced on a variety of media.; from the classical Kufic script to the Maghribi script used in Islamic Spain to grace the pages of manuscripts and the slip-painted bowls. Through these beautiful and bold inscriptions the reader will discover the harmony of senses of the sight and rhythm of Islamic calligraphy and the attribution of perfection. This book, published in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name at the ACM, records the universal achievement of the calligrapher and the enduring legacy of this vital art.

Price: S$35.00

From the first centuries of the Christian era, pilgrims have traveled over great distances to sites where the glory of God revealed itself or where the signs of His benevolence were disclosed by angels and saints. In this catalogue, readers will be able to discover, with the help of the superb collections from the Vatican, the importance of Rome as a place of pilgrimage. Traditionally , the three most important pilgrimage destinations were the Holy Land, Rome and Santiago de Compostella in northest Spain. Journey of Faith: Art & History from the Vatican Collections is published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name at the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore and represents only the second time that such a comprehensive selection of artefacts has traveled from the Vatican to Asia.

Price: S$30.00

The highlight of the exhibition ‘Paintings by Zhejiang Artists of the Ming and Qing Dynasties’ are works by the late Ming figurative painter Chen Honghou, landscape painter Lan Ying, and from the more recent era, Ren Bonian. These works have been brought to Singapore and the exhibition will offer an in-depth insight into the artistic achievements and influence of Zhejiang literati.

Price: S$17.96

The Xiang Xue Zhuang collection of the late Dr Tan Tsze Chor represents the first comprehensive collection of Chinese art in Singapore. This handsome catalogue is an important document of Singapore’s early collecting history. and provides a comprehensive insight into the ideals, aspirations and connoisseurship of Dr Tan and his influence on local art and literati from 1930’s Singapore and Malaya.

The collection, generously donated to the Asian Civilisations Museum by his family contains over a hundred major treasures, from Chinese paintings from the 19th and 20th century, early Chinese ceramics, calligraphy and exquisite carved seals including those of the painter Qi Baishi. The addition of this magnificent collection has added considerably to The Museum’s Chinese holdings and infused the collection with the important attribute.

Price: S$64.76

Bronzes constitute a major chapter in the glorious traditions of ancient Chinese art. They were among the earliest types of objects collected by the Chinese literati in their pursuit of antiquity. It is in these vessels that learned scholars found confirmation of the importance of the Zhou rituals, the basis of Confucianist values; from the inscriptions on the bronzes they built up a body of etymological knowledge. This catalogue features the fine bronzes from Anthony Hardy’s Sze Yuan Tang collection as well as the personal collections of Anthony & Susan Hardy. Published in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name at the Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore.

Price: S$93.20

The Asian Civilisations Museum first opened its doors to the public in 1997. The museum was housed in the old Tao Nan School building, which was built between 1910-1912. This commemorative booklet in both English and Chinese, was published to celebrate the opening of the Museum. It illustrates the history of Tao Nan school which was the first Hokkien modern school in the Straits Settlements and the building’s later development into a museum.

Price: S$9.61

The weaving of textiles is an activity that is found in most societies but the domestication of the silkworm and the reeling of the worm’s filament were undoubtedly of Chinese origin and represents one of the oldest discoveries in the science of textiles. The evolution of the Chinese wardrobe especially the wearing of silk is associated with the definition of rank and social status in early Chinese society.

Drawing on the private collection of Chinese textiles from Chris Hall, resident of Hong Kong this publication held in conjunction with an exhibition of the same name, showcases the aesthetic sensibilities and sartorial tastes of Chinese fashion across the centuries. This lavishly illustrated book includes contributions from experts in the history of silk in China, discussion of symbols and motifs in textiles, insights into Imperial Court textiles and Buddhist dress as well as a considerations on the preservation of textile collections.

Price: S$66.00

During the hundred years between 1850 and 1950, Southeast Asia was the site of the birth, growth and decline of a unique community – that of the Straits Chinese or Peranakans. During that time, this community found themselves at the nexus of the Chinese, Malay, European and Indian worlds, with Chinese migrants adapting to the cosmopolitan environment in which they found themselves. The story of the Peranakans and their art is told against an examination of their most valuable possessions – the incredible jewels which they commissioned for everyday and ceremonial use. This is the first comprehensive study of this subject, this book is the permanent record of an exhibition of Straits Chinese jewels held between April and August 1993. Containing more than 300 masterpieces of the jewelers art displayed in their context of costumes, furniture and archival material, it reveals the splendour of a lost lifestyle and rediscovers a lost chapter of this region’s design history.