Ethnology Collection Home Page

THE ETHNOLOGY COLLECTION

Archaeology Service

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Since the mid 19th century the Museum has collected ethnological items. Many city and county families were involved in the British Empire overseas, and returned from their colonial service with souvenirs. Many early records have disappeared, but donations were received of Indian material from Captain Sherwood after 1846, of Chinese objects from Harvey Smith Parker following his service as Vice-Consul at Amoy in 1851, and from George Vernon in the South Pacific Islands in 1846.

Embroidered Chinese boots for bound feet

Although the collections became much depleted in the early and mid 20th century, there have been more recent donations of American and Chinese objects. Recent exhibitions on the history and treasures of the Museum have included several pieces from these remarkable collections. Highlights include:


Costume North American embroidered clothing, Chinese shoes and coat, Maori grass skirt, African textiles.

Religious Items

Tibetan prayer stones, Indian temple lamps, Solomon Islands mortuary sculpture.

Musical Instruments

African drums, sansas, rattles and xylaphone, Tibetan gongs.

Baskets and Containers

African baskets, gourd bowls and bottles, New Guinea baskets.

Personal Ornament

Jewellery including necklaces and bracelets from Africa, India, New Guinea & the South Pacific.

Weapons and Armour

African spears, Indian swords, Australian boomerang and clubs, Japanese armour

Examples of other objects in these collections

South Pacific paddles, African stirrups, spoons, spatulae and pottery, Chinese model boats, South Pacific stone axes.

Art

Japanese paintings

Archaeology - Art - Ethnology - Geology - Natural History - Social History
Worcestershire Regiment - Worcestershire Yeomanry

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