Typical Prosperous and Honest Merchant

stirling.JPG
Artist: 
William G. Stirling
Patron: 
gift of the artist
First Placed in Singapore: 
1937
Removed from public location: 
2006
Current Location: 
not currently on display
entry: 

How odd - this is an anonymous bust, 'the artist's conception of a typical prosperous and honest Chinese merchant during the colonial days.' (this according to the SHM website).

Surely *someone* was the model for this bust? But who? and why the anonymity?

Location Notes: 

Was placed in front of the Raffles Museum and stood there for almost 50 years. It was then shifted to the side lawn in December 1984 to make way for the time capsule, that was placed there as a part of the National Exhibition to celebrate Singapore's 25 years of nationhood.

It was removed during the 2004-2006 renovation of the National Museum, and we're not sure of its current location.