Collectors and collecting

The first Oceanic artefacts to arrive in Europe were collected in the 18^th century on voyages of scientific exploration. High-status gifts made to Europeans then became high-status art objects in Europe, and collectors there wanted more.

Islanders also offered other things in exchange, such as weapons. Later on, when Europeans began to live in Oceania, some of them collected large numbers of clubs. This was probably because they were interested in them, but may also be because weapons were not as important in exchange systems as other objects. They could be given away or sold with fewer social complications.

Click on the pictures below to learn more about the objects.

In this section

• Europeans in Oceania
• Collectors and collecting

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