• Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation
  • Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin
  • Geheimes Staatsarchiv PK
  • Ibero-American Institute
  • Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung

Hauptbereich

Ethnologisches Museum
Mon 1 October 2001 - until further notice

South Sea
Polynesian and Micronesian Collection and the Gallery of Contemporary Art

The collections of artefacts from Polynesia are among the oldest at the Ethnological Museum. The first objects to be brought to Berlin were incorporated into the 'Kunstkammer' or 'cabinet of art' in Berlin's South Sea collection in 1802. Among them are objects from the voyages of James Cook. As the land of 'little islands', Micronesia's fame rested on its seafarers, who became the subject of voyagers' accounts, one of the earliest of which in German being by Adelbert von Chamisso, the German botanist.

Works of contemporary art, including paintings, wood carvings, drawings, rattan objects and clay sculptures speak of the islanders' struggle to claim their identity and of the search for a connection with their own past.

Presented by:

Ethnologisches Museum

legendDepiction of the war god Kukailimoku, feather work, collection of Captain James Cook, 18th century
© National Museums in Berlin, Ethnological Museumend of legend

• Description
• Address / Opening Hours / Tickets
• Ethnologisches Museum