Merdeka Bridge Lions

Merdeka Lions, picture courtesy of the National Archives
Artist: 
Rodolfo Nolli
Patron: 
Singapore Municipality (?)
First Placed in Singapore: 
1954
Current Location: 
now at SAFTI-MI, the Armed Forces Officer's College
entry: 

A pair (of course) of lions, one of Nolli's last contributions to Singapore's visual environment, before his retirement in Switzerland. The stylization of the lions' mane resembles the lion profile that served as the logo of the Singapore Armed Forces for a time. I am not sure if the sculptures are now publicly accessible.

Location Notes: 

The lions were placed at the Merdeka Bridge, part of the Nicoll Highway, now more or less taken for granted, but a big deal upon its opening. The lions were moved (which year?) when the bridge was renovated, and they wound up in front of the seafood restaurants in Kallang Bay. They were later moved to SAFTI-MI, in Tuas.