Britain in the Amazon: collections and collectors

Britain began colonising the Amazon in the early 1500s. Trade grew considerably after Brazil opened the Amazon River to international navigation in 1866, and British companies came to dominate trade on the river.

Over the years, explorers, missionaries, sea captains and officials returned to ports like Liverpool with indigenous artefacts acquired through purchase or trade.

Many of World Museum Liverpool’s collections were brought from the Amazon during the Rubber Boom years (1850-1920).

• The collection of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Lex Gielgud

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