From the Mundane to the Exotic

Objects that were brought back as a result of encounters between Westerners and the peoples of Oceania often reflect the collecting mentality of the visitor, their need to “document” a particular custom or tradition, to collect objects that present the rich artistic traditions of the region, and to acquire “souvenirs” from the people and places that they visited. Some of the items are clearly utilitarian, domestic objects. Others were made specifically for sale to outsiders, while a few of these items were undoubtedly reserved for internal usage.