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ACM's permanent galleries celebrate Asian imagination, craft, and aesthetics through three broad cross-cultural and pan-Asian themes.
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Level 1
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This February, LET’S LEARN ABOUT…Marble!
What is marble?
No, we don’t mean the little round glass marbles. Marble is a natural stone that forms over millions of years. The word comes from the ancient Greek mármaros, which means “shining stone”. Marble is usually white or off white in colour, with patterning. It has been used to create sculptures, furniture, and even entire buildings, like the Taj Mahal in India and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.
Above: Floor and walls in marble
How is marble made?
Marble starts out as limestone, a type of soft rock that forms naturally within the earth. Over time, heat and pressure beneath the earth’s crust causes limestone to crystallise and harden into marble.
Let’s look at two marble objects from the ACM collection.
Northern China, Tang dynasty (618–907)
Marble, height 20.5cm
2015-00452
This lion is sculpted seated on its hind legs with its body upright and chest out, looking confident and alert. Observe its open mouth and snarling expression. Why do you think it was made to look this way?
Also known as “foo dogs”, lions are protective symbols in Chinese culture and can often be found outside the entrances of buildings as guardians.
Find the lion on display in our Ancient Religions Gallery on Level 2.
India, Rajasthan, mid-17th century
Marble, height 31.5cm
1997-02973
These marble panels served as railings for a balcony or terrace. They are decorated with floral and leaf designs, which also appear on the borders of paintings and carpets from the Mughal empire, which ruled much of India for hundreds of years. How many types of flowers and leaves can you spot? Can you tell what they are?
Look for the railings in our Court and Company Gallery on Level 1.
Jali railings and window screens can be found throughout the Taj Mahal— a huge marble tomb complex in Agra, India built almost 400years ago.
EXPLORE
Visit NHB’s one-stop heritage portal Roots.sg to read more about the objects featured here.
Seated lion
Jali railings
Come back every month for more resources like this.
Missed a post? We’ve got you a covered; past topics can be found here.
What else would you like to learn about? Tell us here.
There’s more!
Check out videos and other e-resources inspired by the objects in the ACM collection.
A monthly series of online resources to learn about our objects through topics, fun facts, quizzes, videos and sharing from ACM folks. See all past Let's Learn About... resources here!
Listen to child-friendly audio clips that inspire close looking and encourage children to engage with ACM objects in a meaningful way.
29 Jan 2023
Start the new year off strong and fiery! This month, explore the Christian Art Gallery and learn about dragons.
Visit Asian Civilisations Museum today
