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The giant bell in the temple, kept in a storeroom with other temple paraphernalia, looks like it has yet to be commissioned, as the wooden structure holding it shows. Bronze bells of this size could only be cast in China in the early days.

This watercolour is part of the 148 works from the collection of Yao Chew Mooi (widow of Yong Mun Sen), which were appraised by London’s Spink and Son.

Mun Sen’s forte was in watercolour landscapes, where we can clearly see the influence of Chinese art in his quick flurry strokes and more generalised compositions. Very seldom do we find a work done by the artist with the interior as the subject. In this painting, the interiors are dark with only a little light entering through the half-opened entrance, to give the viewer an inkling of the contents inside the temple.