The Loong Conservation Project-conserving the oldest known imperial processional dragon - Jones-Amin

The Loong Conservation Project-conserving the oldest known imperial processional dragon
Holly Jones-Amin
February 24, 2023
Loong 龍 is recognised as the oldest imperial processional dragon in the world. Made c. 1890, Loong 龍 is a widely respected living part of the Bendigo community in Australia. His survival is due to over 100 years of consistent care by the Bendigo Chinese community. This talk charts Loong’s 龍 performing life, his impact on the Bendigo and wider community, his contribution to cultural sustainability, his past repairs and recent conservation treatment. The Loong Conservation Project is the first Australian heritage conservation project to capture detailed carbon emissions measurements. The talk details the steps Grimwade conservators took to engage with the Chinese community and other stakeholders to conserve Loong 龍. Conservators and Masters of Cultural Materials Conservation Students utilised methods that actively reduced the carbon emissions of treatment practices and materials during over 1500 hours of treatment.