Asia, Africa, Americas Collection

Cultural Collections

Repatriation

Aboriginal &
Torres Strait Islander

Pacific Islands

Asia, Africa & Americas

Asia, Africa, Americas Collection

The Asia, Africa, Americas collections consist of material from across the Asian, African, and American continents, as well as associated islands. A relatively small number of European archaeological and (non-Indigenous) Australian historical objects, such as convict and other migrant material, are also included in the collections.

Pomo women's gift basket from northern California, USA. Acquired by exchange with the Denver Art Museum, 1951.

Much of this collection came to the Australian Museum through exchanges with overseas museums from the late 19^th to mid 20^th centuries. Some parts of the collection, including material from Canada and India, have been repatriated to their communities of origin. The Australian Museum’s holdings from south-east Asia are a strength of this collection and the focus of the Anthropology Branch’s acquisition policy.

Wooden mask carved by K'pelie people of the Ivory Coast. Donated by W. Bowmore, 1979.

Javanese Shadow Puppet in the character of Gatutkaca. Commissioned by the Museum in 1988 as part of a performance set.