The flag under which pirates sailed off the coast of South China will be displayed in Greenwich for the first time. The thematic exhibition will be held in March 2025 at the National Maritime Museum.
This flag was used by pirates who robbed ships near China and was captured by the British in 1926. They were handed over to the Chinese authorities, and the flag of the captured ship was brought to Britain by Lieutenant Jay Gunter. And already his widow presented the trophy to the museum in 1986. However, due to its fragility, the museum staff did not put it on display.
The situation changed when textile conservator Aisling Macken attached an almost invisible piece of silk to the fabric, which was dyed the color of the flag.
The exhibition, where this pirate flag will be exhibited, according to the museum staff, will help to change the perception of sea robbers.
"It's surprisingly rare to have any material really related to piracy," says Robert Blyth, senior curator of world history at the National Maritime Museum.
According to Blyth, there are many myths related to piracy that need to be debunked. For example, the existence of numerous treasure maps, dressing up female pirates in men's outfits.
The exhibition will be made up of artefacts borrowed from other British and overseas collections, with some pieces leaving storage for the first time.
Source: rmg.co.uk
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