Anthropology Explore the Collections Anthropology Natural History Musical Instruments Archives Handling Living About the collections Search the collection Show filters Our ethnographic collection is one of the most significant in the United Kingdom. The collection comprises approximately 80,000 objects from around the world, and includes artefacts of major national and international significance. Through the anthropology collection you can find a path into understanding the everyday lives and beliefs of people from all over the world, including ourselves. The quality, diversity and beauty of the objects in the collection are testament to the technical, aesthetic and practical skills of people throughout the world. The collection is constantly being researched and added to. African There are an estimated 22,000 objects from Africa in our collection. It covers the whole of the continent, with virtually every modern African state represented. In recent years, we have concentrated on the development of collections to illustrate contemporary masquerade from countries that are not well represented in other national and local museums. Fieldworkers are encouraged to commission new works by acknowledged makers rather than remove existing works from circulation. American The core of our American collections was built from purchases. Primary amongst these are the Inuit and Northwest coast collections made by A.C. Haddon and donated to the Museum by Emslie Horniman. During the last 50 years, the main focus of research and collecting has been on the American Southwest, in particular Navajo textiles, Pueblo ceramics and Hopi Katsinam. Asian There are approximately 32,000 items in our Asian collection. The collection is particularly rich in art, including carvings of gods, masks and puppets, and other items of material culture from India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Burma. In recent decades the Horniman has developed the collection in the area of performance, acquiring puppets and masks from Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, China and Central Asia. European The Horniman contains substantial and important collections from western and central Europe, as well as Scandinavia. Frederick Horniman was an avid collector of European material, acquiring examples of items which were in danger of being lost as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation. Since then, donations from England, Romania and the Balkans (amongst others) have greatly enhanced the collections. Oceania There are around 3,000 objects from Oceania in the collections. They contain material from each of the region’s three sub-areas, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, with a particularly strong focus on Papua New Guinea. With few exceptions, the items in the Oceanic collections are of outstanding quality. Archaeology The Horniman’s collections include a substantial amount of archaeological material from all over the world. British prehistoric material forms a large proportion of collection, as well as prehistoric objects from Europe, some parts of Africa, ancient Peruvian pottery and Caribbean stone tools. Textiles There are more than 6,500 items in the Horniman’s textile collections, from many different countries and cultures. They show the enormous variety of textile traditions across the world, and employ a wide range of manufacturing techniques and designs. Featured Gods of the Sun Find out more Conversations around objects: Representing the unrepresentable Find out more LGBTQ+ Stories and Themes of Love Find out more World Gallery Find out more Rethinking Relationships and Building Trust around African Collections Find out more The Zoomorphic Figures of Awadh Find out more Browse the collection: Anthropology Show filters ANTHROPOLOGY Fastener Object | 2009.53.2 ANTHROPOLOGY Costume; jeans Object | L2012.5.6 ANTHROPOLOGY Costume Object | L2012.5.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Costume; shirts Object | L2012.5.4 ANTHROPOLOGY Hat Object | 2008.601 ANTHROPOLOGY Envelope Object | 2009.393.4 ANTHROPOLOGY Envelope Object | 2009.393.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Carving (art) Object | 3.22 ANTHROPOLOGY Costume Object | 2009.54 ANTHROPOLOGY Tapestry Object | E1102.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Sashes (costume accessories) Object | 2002.63.28.2 ANTHROPOLOGY Sashes (costume accessories) Object | 2002.63.28.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Headdress Object | 2008.320.2 ANTHROPOLOGY Arrows Object | 5.106 ANTHROPOLOGY Quiver; arrows; stick Object | C325 ANTHROPOLOGY Arrows; quiver Object | 4.193 ANTHROPOLOGY Pendant (neck ornament (personal adornment)) Object | nn19677 ANTHROPOLOGY Apron Object | 6.12.65/688 ANTHROPOLOGY Blouse Object | 30.8.67/85 ANTHROPOLOGY Coins Object | nn16606 ANTHROPOLOGY Purse (clothing: accessories) Object | nn16593 ANTHROPOLOGY Purse (clothing: accessories) Object | nn16591 ANTHROPOLOGY Purse (clothing: accessories) Object | nn16589 ANTHROPOLOGY Purse (clothing: accessories) Object | nn16592 ANTHROPOLOGY Meat carrier models Object | 0.218 ANTHROPOLOGY Pastime: model Object | nn19425.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Meat carrier model Object | 0.218i ANTHROPOLOGY Snuff box Object | 6.12.65/83i ANTHROPOLOGY Plough model Object | 6.12.65/159i ANTHROPOLOGY Fire-steel (strike-a-light) Object | 6.12.65/110iii ANTHROPOLOGY Yoke model (general & multipurpose) Object | 6.12.65/164xi ANTHROPOLOGY Yoke model (general & multipurpose) Object | 6.12.65/164x ANTHROPOLOGY Water pipe Object | 28.2.63/72.1 ANTHROPOLOGY Pipe (narcotics & intoxicants: smoking); water pipe Object | 28.2.63/72.2 ANTHROPOLOGY Door frame Object | nn19010 ANTHROPOLOGY Rod puppet Object | 30.3.55/2 ANTHROPOLOGY Bed Object | 1957.7 ANTHROPOLOGY Water pipe Object | 28.2.63/73.3 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.23 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.5 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.26 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.11 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.9 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.21 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.22 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.2 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.14 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.27 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.6 ANTHROPOLOGY Chess piece Object | 1972.170.18 SHOWING 50 OF 83189 ITEMS VIEW 50 100 150 ITEMS PER PAGE 1 2 3 4 ... 1664 Collection Information These objects are only a part of our collections, of which there are more than 350,000 objects. This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be errors. This part of the website is also still under construction, so there may be some fields repeated or incorrectly formatted information. The database sometimes uses language taken from historical documents to help research, which may now appear outdated and even offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities. If you have any further information about objects in our collections or can suggest corrections to our information, please contact us: enquiry@horniman.ac.uk About the Horniman The Horniman connects us all with global cultures and the natural environment, encouraging us to shape a positive future for the world we all share. People Plans, policies and reporting Opportunities Volunteering Jobs Contact us Horniman Museum & Gardens 100 London Road, Forest Hill London SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 enquiry@horniman.ac.uk Support the Horniman today The Horniman is a charity. Help us make a difference to people’s lives for generations to come. Press and media Terms and conditions Privacy Notice Cookie policy Access Join our mailing list Donate today Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Pinterest Company Registration Number: 02456393 - Charity Registration Number: 802725 - Charity registered in England and Wales Designed and built by Cog COOKIES We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If you accept "Essential Cookies only" some elements, like videos and maps by third parties, may not work. You can visit Customise Your Preferences to customise your cookie consent. 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