Lucien de Guise finds that a splendid exhibition at the British Museum is full of visual treats.
The British Museum doesn’t conceal much from visitors to China’s Hidden Century. As the building is a magnet for regular protests seeking the repatriation of the Parthenon Marbles and Benin Bronzes, it’s hard to escape the “l” word: loot. Halfway through the exhibition there’s a more engaging reminder than most: a painting titled Looty the Chinese Dog. This small hostage was abducted during the destruction of the Summer Palace in 1860. Restitution agitators might consider a detour from Bloomsbury to Buckingham Palace when they spot the label stating “Lent by His Majesty the King”. Nearby are two broken roof tiles from Beijing’s once majestic imperial summer residence. The British Museum is admitting to ownership of one and pinning the other one on the V&A.
