Lorong Bachok shophouse and cultural association with classic Chinese tales depicted beneath the windows in Singapore
This 1929-built shophouse at the junction of Lorong 19 Geylang and Lorong Bachok stands out for its colourful, highly decorative façade that is described as rococo. In Pastel Portraits, writer Gretchen Liu describes it as one of the richest examples of plasterwork in Singapore. The melange of wood, tiles and plaster also reflects the cultural kaleidoscope of Singapore. The Malay tradition of woodworking can be seen in its timber fretwork. There is also the depiction of classic Chinese tales on the panels beneath the second-storey windows while there are Sikh guards moulded on relief on the pillars of the ground entrance. According to Liu, the guards were created to “watch over” the building, a feature also present in another shophouse at the corner of Balestier Road and Jalan Kemaman.
Size: 3563px × 4750px
Photo credit: © Julio Etchart / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: bachok, chinese, lorong, shophouse, sikh, singapore
