Best Ethnographic Sites?

[dennee]

Pitt-Rivers Museum, Oxford. Examples from many cultures, but probably the best Naga collection in the world.

[Mark]

The Smithsonian, at least the National Museum of Natural History, is surprisingly deficient in ethnographic weaponry. On display there are only perhaps two cases of weapons (most being mixed-use tools/weapons). They do have more in their stacks, but from what I saw of their Southeast Asian collection a couple years back, it is very patchy.

I have not see the collections of the Freer or Shackler galleries, but if what is on display is any indication, they are thin in the weapons area as well. The Freer has one middle eastern dagger on display (I forget where it is from exactly), and the Shackler only has a handful of ceremonial stone axe heads on display.

There is one magnificent Thai sword on display at the Museum of American history, in an out-of-the-way case containing various items given to Presidents by foreign heads of state. The Thai sword has a blade resembling that of a katana, but of damascus. Beautifully mounted.

[sabertasche]

Calgary Alberta, Canada has the Glenbow Museum. Half of the 4th foor is dedicated to arms and armour from many cultures. The museum is particularily strong in Japanese arms and armour but very little of it is actually on display. Still, the sections on swords and clubs from all cultures is great.

For those who like military stuff there is also the Musuem of the Regiments, HMCS Tecumseh Calgary Naval Museum and the Calgary Air Museum, - all located in Calgary. The M ofthe Regiments and the Naval museum are exceptional.

Cheers,

Greg

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by dennee

Pitt-Rivers Museum, Oxford. Examples from many cultures, but probably the best Naga collection in the world.

http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/collections.html

This looks really good. Having some problems accessing links, but looks like they have some incredible items. I also like their idea of display. MIght be something to use for our collections.


Type of display

In most ethnographic and archaeological museums the displays are arranged according to geographical or cultural areas. In the Pitt Rivers Museum they are arranged 'typologically' (according to type): musical instruments, weapons, masks, textiles, jewellery, and tools are all displayed in groups to show how the same problems have been solved at different times by different peoples. This unusual layout developed from the General's theories concerning the evolution of ideas. You can find not only what may be regarded as beautiful or valuable but also many examples of simple, everyday objects which reveal how people have lived and thought. This gives the collection a unique quality since it contains material not usually treasured or preserved. A large percentage of the collection is on show.

The Pitt Rivers still retains its Victorian atmosphere. The cluttered cases, the original small handwritten labels and the absence of intrusive text-panels all contribute to the special experience it offers. Visitors interested in psychology, sociology, medicine, arts and crafts, comparative religion, music, in fact almost any profession or hobby, will find plenty to intrigue them. It is also a fascinating place for those studying changing historical attitudes.

There are other Musea here that I want to see also. Will do some more research.