Background
Loong is not only a treasure at the Golden Dragon Museum, but he is also recognised as having outstanding heritage value and is included on the Victoria Heritage register. He is unique in the world as the oldest surviving complete processional dragon.
Loong and his regalia form the start of an unbroken chain of three dragons that have been the centerpieces of the Bendigo Easter Festival and Chinese life in the region and across Victoria for over 120 years. Succeeded by Sun Loong in 1970 who was in turn succeeded by Dai Gum Loong in 2019, the Museum’s dragons are wonderful works of art that are deeply embedded in their community where they are still used regularly for cultural and ritual purposes.
Museums are places that store, conserve, research, exhibit and celebrate objects that have special meaning and value to a vast array of audiences. Often the various objects on public exhibition represent only some 5% – 10% or less of a Museum’s total collection. In the case of the Golden Dragon Museum whilst we have many objects on display, they represent only a small percentage of the 30,000 objects in our Collection. To learn more about the Collection and its significance click here.
One of the very important tasks every museum undertakes is the conservation of the various objects in their collection. Be they paintings, statues, wooden, bronze, new or ancient, local or from far away, to ensure that objects remain in excellent condition and do not suffer any more damage or wear and tear than they absolutely must, conservation is a never-ending task. This very technical and delicate work is undertaken by highly trained professionals, Conservators, who work tirelessly most often away from the public view to report, clean, repair, and document museum objects to ensure they can be enjoyed for many years to come.
The Project
Starting with detailed condition reporting with many photographs and videos being taken, through to a thorough cleaning literally from head to tail and then painstaking repair work, the Loong Conservation project will see Loong carefully treated using a range of techniques and materials. When finished Loong will be in the best possible condition to stay on exhibition for many years ahead. The project will be current from November 2021 – April 2022.
Given Loong’s size and the complexity of the project being undertaken, much of the work will happen in front of the public when they visit the Museum’s Loong Gallery. Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with the conservators and ask about their work, the project and the project’s progress. From November and into the new year, this will be a very special time to see how these experts work and learn more about what is involved in conserving Loong.
Regular updates on the project will be posted here including monthly newsletters produced by Grimwade Conservation Services.
If you have specific queries or for further information on the project, please email research@goldendragonmuseum.org
Loong 龍
Loong is the oldest intact processional dragon in the world. He made his first processional appearance in 1901 and was the star attraction of Bendigo’s annual Easter parade until his retirement in 1970. He was created by the Sing Cheung 勝昌 workshop in the city of Foshan (Fatshan) on the Pearl River near Guangzhou (Canton) in southern China. Loong was constructed from silks, mirrors, bamboo, kingfisher feathers, and papier-mache. His name simply means ‘dragon’ but historically he was also referred to by the Chinese community as Gum Loong 金龙 (Golden Dragon) and Moo Loong 舞龍 (Dancing Dragon)
During his parading career Loong made several important appearances outside of Bendigo, most notably at the May 1901 procession in Melbourne to welcome m the Duke and Duchess of York who had come to open the first Australian parliament – a century later he also appeared in the Melbourne parade which marked the centenary of the achievement of Australian Federation. In 2007 Loong was placed on Victoria Heritage register due to his historic and cultural significance. Loong last paraded in the Easter parade of 2019 when he joined Sun Loong 新龍 (new Dragon) and Yar Loong 夜龍 (night Dragon) to welcome Dai Gum Loong 大金龍 (The Great Golden Dragon) to Bendigo.
Loong requires 22 carriers and is 29 meters long. His head weighs 21kg.