Belfast Central Library’s award-winning exhibit, George Leonard Staunton’s Embassy to China (1797), is now available to view in a special exhibition at the Royal Avenue landmark building.
The work offers a “vivid record of a period when China was opening up to the West” and charts the first attempt by Britain to establish diplomatic and trade links in the late 18th century. This mission was recorded by Galway-born George Staunton, principal secretary to the British Embassy, and led by Ballymoney man George Macartney.
All volumes of the book and illustrations that chart the journey of the 800-strong party of diplomats, scientists, artists, soldiers and crew are now on view. Their journey took them to Madeira, Tristan de Cunha, Rio de Janeiro, Cambodia and on to China where they then spent months travelling to Peking by canal and horseback.
Embassy to China was recently chosen by the British Library as one of just five ‘Hidden Treasures’ in a competition to find exceptional items of national and international importance contained in public libraries. All five winning exhibits have been turned into ‘virtual texts’ and are now hosted online at the British Library website, www.bl.uk.
Belfast submitted three exhibits, all of which were short-listed. Chief Librarian, Katherine McCloskey, said the Hidden Treasure award was a recognition of the wealth of exceptional collections available in Belfast Central Library.
“The Hidden Treasures award is an acknowledgement of the rich heritage which has been collected and preserved over the years for Northern Ireland by Belfast Central Library,” said Katherine.
“In all 82 entries were received, revealing the scope of valuable works of national and international importance held in our libraries. Our winning entry is now available to view first hand in a wonderful exhibition at Central Library and has also been brought to a worldwide audience on the web.
“The finely detailed mezzotint plates in Staunton’s Embassy to China offer a vivid record of a period when China was opening up to the West. With Lord McCartney coming from County Antrim and Staunton coming from County Galway, they demonstrate Ireland’s global connections in the late 18th century.”
The other two nominations from Belfast Central Library were Le Grand Atlas, Joan Blaeu, 1667, and The Marcus Ward Collection. The exhibition is free and will run until April 30.
