An exhibition in Singapore is showcasing a series of handcrafted models of ancient Chinese pagodas, offering international audiences a captivating glimpse into China's architectural marvels and craftsmanship.

The Asian Civilizations Museum has a captivating collection of over 80 handcrafted models of ancient Chinese pagodas, meticulously recreated from real structures. Notably, these very models debuted internationally at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

"When these pagodas were first showcased in San Francisco, it was one of the first time when modern China and America came into contact. I think that also speaks to Singapore's modern position as the exchange hub between the East and the West," said Dr. Kevin Lam, curator of Chinese Art at the museum.

The models displayed in the U.S. in 1915 were created at Shanghai's Tushanwan workshop at the time.

Because of the historical accuracy of these models, some of them serve as architectural archives. One example is the model of "Dragon Flower", Shanghai's oldest surviving pagoda. The replica made by the Tushanwan workshop differs from the existing structure because it displays many historical details that have been lost through restorations over the years.

"This is Kaiyuan, one of the major pagodas in northern China. So what we see in this model is the shape, the format and also a lot of details are captured realistically. For example, you can notice that there are a lot of construction holes on the surface of the pagoda and they were originally used to hold beams on which further wooden structures can be built," said Lam.

The curator has incorporated new paintings onto the base of the Kaiyuan model. These vibrant additions, entirely the product of the artist's imagination, showcase a delightful infusion of creativity.

"This is the 'Great Pagoda of Repaying Kindness' in Nanjing. The significant thing about this pagoda is that it was a brick tower, but it was all decorated with Liuli tiles, a type of early glass that a lot of westerners at the time called porcelain because they couldn’t actually tell. So, that's how the name 'Porcelain Pagoda' or 'Porcelain Tower' came into being. Although it was destroyed in the mid-19th century, the Tushanwan workshop recreated this (model) based on visual sources," said Lam.

Some models depict pagodas that have suffered damage throughout history. These artworks not only document China's architectural heritage, but also keep the memory of these ancient structures alive for generations to come.