Queen Victoria at one end of the room. The statue was later removed to make way for what is now the Presidential Chair and two flags: the State Flag and the Presidential Standard. The statue of Queen Victoria now stands at the end of the Victoria Pond located south of the Istana Grounds. Second floor The Reception Room is a small parlour on the second floor leading to the East and West Sitting Rooms. It is where the president holds discussions with foreign dignitaries. The East Sitting Room features a collection of state gifts, including a set of chinaware made in France and presented to President Benjamin Sheares which is displayed in a bulletproof glass case. The West Sitting Room is a parlour that has been the setting for many interviews with heads of state and Members of Parliament. The room is laid with original timber flooring from the 1930s. Displayed on the walls of the room are priceless replicas of Arab tapestry presented by the Sultan of Oman to President Ong Teng Cheong in the 1990s. The Sheares Room is a private dining hall named after President Benjamin Sheares, the second president of Singapore. It is used by the president and their family or, in some cases, the Cabinet members. Name cards indicating the sitting positions of each person are printed and gold-plated by Risis. Besides the unique boat-shaped dining table in the room, seven painted panels depicting the seven presidents and their respective Cabinet members hang on the right of the room. The Yusof Room is named for the first president of Singapore, Yusof Ishak; his bust sits at the end of this parlour. The room features a large Chinese-style panel painted with phoenixes and peonies. Mezzanine floor The U-shaped Grand Staircase leads to the second and third floors of the Istana. On the first landing stands the Guardian of the House on a raised display cabinet. The statue is made of wood from India, ivory and mother of pearl. The Guardian was made by Indian labourers who constructed the Istana and was presented to Sir Shenton Thomas to commemorate his taking up of residence there. During the Second World War, the statue was placed in a storeroom. It was forgotten until 1995 when Istana guards were tasked to clear the storeroom, at which time it was found lying next to the British coat of arms which used