| China in London |
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| Culture | |
| Tuesday, 16 September 2008 | |
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But an enlightening exhibition at London’s Guildhall Library turns the clock back over 160 years to show a capital entranced by China - as a junk from Hong Kong sails into London laden with cultural treasures from ‘the Celestial Empire’. Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Charles Dickens were among the first visitors to the exotic ship, full to bursting with Chinese arts and crafts. The papers were agog. “This remarkable vessel is a junk of the largest class” said The Illustrated London News on 1 April 1848, “and is stated to be the first ship constructed by the Chinese which has ever reached Europe or ever rounded the Cape of Good Hope”. The Chinese junk Keying opened to the public as floating museum in 1848 “from 10 till 6, adjacent to the railway and steam boat pier at Blackwell”. The promotional flyer boasted that the ship possessed “a grand saloon, gorgeously furnished in the most approved style of the Celestial Empire”. And The Times tripped over itself in praise: “There is not a more interesting exhibition in the whole of London”. It may be going too far to say that the Guildhall’s small display of China in London is the most interesting exhibition in London. But it certainly provides a fascinating window on a world where Chinese influences are first taking shape in the City. And the story of the Keying, captained by Charles A Kellet, is only the broadest of the tales it tells. Prints from books in the City of London’s Guildhall Library show snapshots of early nineteenth century London coming under the influence of Chinese culture. One print shows a splendidly tall Chinese pagoda in St James’ Park, a focus at the 1814 ‘Peace Rejoicings’ which marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars, literally a highlight amid fireworks, gaslight and flowing canals that marked the occasion. Botanic books of London’s gardens wax lyrical over the “best known plants to come from China…wisteria”. But the cultural influence didn’t extend just to botany and boats. A striking image from The Graphic magazine of 2 August 1913 shows a Chinese man giving evidence in court, drawn by court artists at the moment when he raises a plate above his head. Why? Says the magazine: “In East End police courts a stock of cheap crockery is kept. When a Chinaman takes the oath, he usually breaks a plate, generally on the witness box but sometimes on his head. As the plate falls he repeats ‘May my soul be broken even as this plate if I don’t tell the truth’.” The curiousness of the article shows, not only the extent of Chinese presence in London, but of a local populace, in their magazines and books, themselves curious about Chinese customs. The Guildhall Library is up front about the exhibition’s twin purposes. China in London display ties-in with Olympic year interest in China. But the most appealing insight is the extent to which this year’s media focus was predated by an equally intense popular fascination for things Chinese in the nineteenth century. It remains to be seen whether this year’s interest in China following the Beijing Olympics fades away or stays in this country’s memory. But the Guildhall’s exhibition is also a calling card to the London’s Chinese population. Demonstrating that the City’s records have much to say about the past and present of London’s Chinese community, it’s clear that the Guildhall Library is hoping their modest display will encourage Chinese people to come in to the library throughout the year to discover more about their London heritage. This small, free exhibition, remains open till 26 September and is certainly worth a visit. Engaging and informative, it proves that a popular fascination with Chinese culture has been with us in this country for nigh on 200 years. And if this little display can help us look deeper – either at the Library’s own resources or into Chinese culture generally – then that’s got to be a job well done. Glenn Watson China in London 1 August 2008 - 26 September 2008 “A small exhibition in the Printed Books reading room looks at the life of Chinese people and the influence of Chinese culture on London. No admission charge.” For more information, click here. |
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The display of Chinese culture and talent in the Olympic opening ceremony dazzled the world. It topped a year’s worth of interest in all things Chinese. TV documentaries, specialist displays in bookstores, tie-in exhibitions in museums across the land, all added to the heightened appreciation.
