Great North Museum - Ethnography
The ethnographic collections of the Great North Museum are among the largest in the North of England. All areas of the world are represented, and often include rare items, such as sealskin Parkas, a complete Inuit kayak, aboriginal religious items and message tokens. The collections are particularly strong in items from the Oceanic Islands, including pieces from New Zealand. Among many treasures in the Oceanic collections are a burial effigy from Malekula, an 18th Century Rei Puta, a drum from the Austral Islands, bark cloth and a Hawaiian feather cape and helmet.
Other areas of strength include African tribal pieces. Among many implements of war and other items are musical instruments, fetishes, and a set of slave irons.
Some of the ethnographic items could be fairly classified as applied art: for instance Japanese swords and armour, Chinese ivories, chopsticks and clothing, and Benin bronzes.
For further information on the ethnography collections, please contact Dr Sarah Glynn.
