HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM 



Robley 

 Collection of 

 Maori Heads, 

 $6,088. 



Fijian 

 Collection. 



Finsch 



Collection, 



$3,000. 



Bismarck 

 Archipelago. 



Schroeder 

 Collection. 



New 



Hebrides 

 and New 

 Caledonia. 



Robley was an enthusiastic collector, and was especially interested 

 in everything that related to the old-time method of tattooing. He 

 succeeded in bringing together thirty-three very fine examples of the 

 tattooed heads, with the implements, pigments, funnel, and all other 

 accessories used during the process, making this the largest and most 

 complete collection in existence illustrating the ancient art of "Moco" 

 or Maori tattooing. The practice of tattooing among the Maori ceased 

 to exist over a generation ago, and the heads are now extremely scarce, 

 so that Mr. Jesup's gift was one of special scientific interest and im- 

 portance. 



An ethnological collection from the Fiji Islands was received in 

 1908 through the liberality of Mrs. Morris K. Jesup. It was gathered 

 by Mr. John William Waters during forty years' residence on the 

 Islands, and is especially valuable in that it represents the life of the 

 Fijians before they had become acquainted with iron and its uses. 

 The collection comprises about 1,800 specimens, including household 

 utensils and implements of war and the chase, made of stone, turtle- 

 shell and wood. 



A good insight into the culture of the natives of New Guinea, New 

 Ireland, and Marshall Islands is obtained from the Finsch Collection, 

 the work of Dr. Otto Finsch, which was purchased in 1898. It num- 

 bers 2,144 pieces, and includes casts of faces and samples of hair of 

 the natives, besides about 300 explanatory drawings. 



Interesting ethnological material from various islands in the 

 Bismarck Archipelago, brought together by Professor Eugene Schroeder 

 during many years as a resident there, was purchased in 1908 with 

 funds provided by Mrs. Morris K. Jesup. Among the most valuable 

 and striking objects in the collection are several idols from a Ghost 

 House; an ancient death drum, and several ceremonial masks. The 

 collection also contains implements of war and the chase, musical 

 instruments, personal ornaments, clothing, and household utensils. 



A fairly representative collection from the Islands of New Hebrides 

 and New Caledonia was received in the Engler Collection, presented 

 by Mrs. Morris K. Jesup in 1908. It contains something over ldO 



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