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Unique treasures discovered on a ninth century Arab dhow have been unveiled at a new exhibition entitled 'Shipwrecked: Tang Treasures and Monsoon Winds', which has opened in Singapore at the ArtScience Museum on Marina Bay Sands.
The exhibition, one of the oldest and largest maritime archaeology finds of the 20th Century, is jointly organised by the Arthur M Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Heritage Board, Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
Shipwrecked relates the story of an astonishing cargo of 60,000 Chinese trade goods and luxuries carried on a ninth-century Arab dhow en route to the Middle East. The cargo had lain undisturbed on the ocean floor before its discovery near Indonesia's Belitung Island.
This is the first time the treasures, including hundreds of ceramics and intricate gold items from China's Tang Dynasty, have been put on public display. The exhibition also illustrates the human stories of the dhow's multi-ethnic crew.
"This exhibition will change the way we visualise the contacts between East and West more than a millennium ago," said Jason Ong, area director, Middle East and Africa, STB.
"Visitors to the exhibition will see the dhow's most valuable treasures, such as a magnificent one-metre high dragon-head ewer, a unique octagonal gold cup and a wealth of the famous Tang Dynasty blue and white ceramic ware. Many of these treasures have motifs and shapes that show a distinct Middle East influence."
Singapore's ArtScience Museum is the first stop in a world tour that is expected to conclude in 2015. The exhibition runs until July 31, however, plans for a permanent display in Singapore are in development.
For more information visit www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum
