Military histories of ‘Summer Palace’ objects from China in military museums in the United Kingdom

During the Second Opium War (1856–60), British and French forces looted and destroyed the Yuanmingyuan, China's most significant palace complex, dispersing over a million imperial artifacts globally. This study examines how five UK military museums present these 'Summer Palace' objects, revealing the constructed narratives around China's imperial heritage in Western institutional contexts. The research employs qualitative analysis of museum displays to uncover the meanings attributed to these artifacts, offering insight into the cultural implications of colonial-era looting and its lasting representation.

Tythacott, L. (2020). Military histories of ‘Summer Palace’ objects from China in military museums in the United Kingdom. Dividing the Spoils. https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526139214.00019