21 Masterworks from the Oceanian Collections in University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
21 Masterworks from the Oceanian Collections in University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Curated by Steven G. Alpert
The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology — which has conducted more than 300 archaeological and anthropological expeditions around the world — was founded during the administration of Provost William Pepper. In 1887, Provost Pepper persuaded the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania to erect a fireproof building to house artifacts from an upcoming expedition to the ancient site of Nippur in modern-day Iraq (then part of the Ottoman Empire).
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, North American and European museums regularly sponsored such excavations throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, sharing the ownership of their discoveries with the host country. Penn Museum followed this practice in acquiring the vast majority of its collections, and, as a result, most of the Museum's objects have a known archaeological context, increasing their value for archaeological and anthropological research and presentation.
Among the fabulous treasures held at Penn, a true highlight is the famous 'Ram in the Thicket' from ancient Ur, inlayed with lapis and wrapped in gold. The University of Pennsylvania collections are replete with masterpieces that span human history in a broad an encompassing manner.
Penn's Oceanic collection holds more than 22,000 pieces. With regard to island Southeast Asia, in 1896, W.H Furness 3rd, Alfred C. Harrison Jr., and H.M. Hiller, Philadelphia blue-bloods, went on an epic adventure and expedition that took them to Borneo, where they made an important collection from various Dayak groups in Sarawak. In addition, the University's Melanesian and Polynesian collections contain pieces of special import and beauty, some which are highlighted here, and were collected by the naturalist, C.D. Voy in the 1870's, or sold to the museum by such early vendors as J. F. G. Umlauff or W. O. Oldman, legendary names amongst the greatest of all early collector-dealers.
— Steven G. Alpert, founder of Art of the Ancestors
Ram in the Thicket
30-12-702
Iraq/Ur
British Museum/University Museum Expedition to Ur, Iraq, 1930
© University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
1
Charm | Enggano
Inv #: P1417
Enggano
Gift of H. M. Hiller and Alfred C. Harrison Jr., 1901
2
Sheath Ornament | Nias
Inv #: 29-58-61C
Nias
Received from various sources, pre-1929
3
Kayan Storage Hook Finial | Borneo
Inv #: P611
Kayan, Sarawak, Borneo
Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898
4
Kayan Beaded Baby Carrier | Borneo
Inv #: P628
Kayan, Baram River Area, Sarawak, Borneo
Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898
5
Kayan Sword | Borneo
Inv #: P1231B
Kayan, Sarawak, Borneo
Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898
6
Ancestor Figure | Korwar | West Papua New Guinea
Inv #: P3587B
West Papua New Guinea
Purchased from W. O. Oldman, 1912
7
Mask | Torres Strait
Inv: 55-33-1
Torres Strait, New Guinea
Purchased from Frank and Leonard Schwartz, 1955
8
Mask | Torres Strait
Inv #: 59-9-1
Torres Strait, New Guinea
Purchased from Julius Carlbach, 1959
9
Shield | Queensland, Australia
Inv #: P2412
Australia
Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
10
Ceremonial Flute Stopper | New Guinea
Inv #: 29-50-627
New Guinea
Purchased from Max Boehmig through Emil Roehrig (Barthels Mfg. Co.), 1924
11
Figure | Solomon Islands
Inv #: 18221
Solomon Islands
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
12
Gable Ornament Mask | Caroline Islands
Inv #: 18240
Caroline Islands
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
13
Ceremonial Axe | New Caledonia
Inv #: P2126
New Caledonia
Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
14
Figure | New Caledonia
Inv #: 2003-32-30.1
New Caledonia
Gift of the Philadelphia Commercial Museum (also known as the Philadelphia Civic Center Museum), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2003
15
Whale Ivory Figure | Fijian or Tongan Islands
Inv #: 18194A
Fijian or Tongan Islands
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
16
Trumpet | Marquesas Islands
Inv #: 18017
Marquesas Islands
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
17
Tiki | Marquesas Islands
Inv #: 18033
Marquesas Islands
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
18
Maori Ceremonial Adze
Inv #: 29-93-13
New Zealand
Purchased from the Estate of George Byron Gordon, 1929
19
Maori Feather Box Base
Inv #: P2241
New Zealand
Purchased from W. O. Oldman; Subscription of Herbert L. Clark in memory of Edward W. Clark, 1911
20
Hawaiian Feathered Cape
Inv #: 29-58-156
Hawaiian Islands
Received from various sources, pre-1929
21
Easter Island Figure
Inv #: 18059A
Easter Island
Gift of William Pepper, 1891
All artworks and images presented in this feature are the property of University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
© University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology