The Lion and the Dragon exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery brought about an extraordinary meeting between the direct descendent of Confucius and the direct descendent of Sir James Stewart Lockhart, replaying events which took place 100 years ago, and which are the subject of the exhibition at Dulwich.
James Hung is 14 and is the direct descendent of Confucius. Clive Stewart-Lockart is an Antiques Roadshow expert, but also happens to be the direct descendent of Sir James Stewart-Lockhart. They met for the first time at the exhibition. (see photo above)
(This was not Clive Stewart Lockhart’s first visit – he was at the Gallery for the Antiques Roadshow on 19 June).
The Lion and the Dragon exhibition illustrates a period in Chinese history when the British leased some of the Shandong Province, considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization. Confucianism, founded by Confucius, the great thinker, educator and statesman, started here and is the pillar of traditional Chinese culture.
In 1904 Sir James Stewart Lockhart, the British Commissioner, met Duke Kong, the direct descendent of Confucius, and was the first foreigner to be given a formal invitation to see the Temple of Confucius. In exchange Duke Kong was given a framed coronation photograph of King Edward VII, which was paraded through the streets. (see photo left)
The exhibition finishes on the weekend. Hurry along and have a look at these fascinating photos.
