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1 of 253523 objects
William Bambridge
Looty the Pekingese 1865
Albumen print | 9.2 x 6.9 cm (image) | RCIN 2105644
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Photograph of one of Queen Victoria's dogs, a Pekingese called Looty. The dog is asleep on a chair with a high, ornately carved wooden back.
The dog in this photograph was found by Captain John Hart Dunne of the 99th Regiment after the Summer Palace near Beijing (Peking, as it was then known) had been looted on 8 October 1860 during the Second Opium War. On his return to England Dunne presented her to Queen Victoria for 'the Royal Collection of dogs'. She was one of the first Pekingese dogs in Britain and her name makes rather ironic reference to her origins and acquisition. Looty was considered 'the smallest and by far the most beautiful little animal that has appeared in this country'. F.W. Keyl was commissioned to paint a portrait of Looty in 1861 (RCIN 406974) which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1862. A replica was also painted for Captain Dunne.Provenance
Acquired by Queen Victoria
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Creator(s)
(photographer)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Albumen print
Measurements
9.2 x 6.9 cm (image)