Book these Museum Treasures
By Clara Chow
Singapore Straits times
December 2002

Prized pieces from the national museums of 10 Asean countries are showcased in a recently-launched book

PRICELESS artifacts from 10 Asean countries’ national museums can now be seen in a new book.

Museum Treasures of Southeast Asia was launched on Monday evening at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Armenian Street.

It was commissioned by the Asean Committee on Culture and Information, and published by ArtPostAsia.

In the making since July this year, the 192-page coffee-table book has glossy pictures of ancient art pieces. They are classified under the different materials featured, such as stone, metal and fibre.

Photographs of Khmer King Jayavarman’s stone statue from the National Museum of Cambodia sit next to Maitum Anthropomorphic jars from the National Museum of the Philippines, while a Peranakan porcelain pot from the Asian civilizations Museum of Singapore is juxtaposed with a Chinese head rest from Malaysia’s national History Museum.

Six thousand copies of the book were printed. They will be available at $70 from major bookshops in the region later this month.

Ms. Tina Colayco, 50, managing director of ArtPostAsia, said: “We wanted to show the similarity, yet diversity, between the artifacts. The pieces were selected to show the kinship between the people of Asean.”

Guest-of-Honour at the event was Mr. Ong Keng Yong, a board member of the National Heritage Board. Mr. Ong, 48, who takes on the post of secretary-general of Asean in three weeks, said: “There is a lot on show in the museums of Southeast Asia. From time to time, we have to remind ourselves to go back to these artifacts to appreciate the talent in the region.