Commissioned in 2002, this sculpture is one of 4 pieces that are part of the "People Of The River" series depicting various historical scenes of people who lived and worked along Singapore River and thus its importance to the settlement's trade. While the Europeans profited from it, it was in fact the Chinese traders, like the towkay holding an abacus, who generated the most wealth. (See https://www.publicarttrust.sg/Public-Art/A-Great-Emporium )