Oceania

The World Cultures collection contains items from the Pacific region and includes items from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Australia. The collection includes a large number of weapons such as clubs and spears but there are also ceremonial items and domestic items. It is one of the larger public collections of this material in Scotland and contains an important collection of Malagan items from New Ireland.

 

Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved hornbill head with Turbo petholatus opercula as eyes. Late 19th century. Used in Malagan ceremonies - 1981.1435 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Malagan Hornbill

Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved hornbill head with Turbo petholatus opercula as eyes. Late 19th century. Used in Malagan ceremonies - 1981.1435 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Malagan totem head from New Ireland decorated with various pigments, including lime, and the eyes made from Turbo petholatus opercula. Late 19th century - 1981.1437 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Malagan Totem Head

Malagan totem head from New Ireland decorated with various pigments, including lime, and the eyes made from Turbo petholatus opercula. Late 19th century - 1981.1437 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Tapa barkcloth sheet - late 19th century - 1981.529 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Tapa barkcloth sheet

Tapa barkcloth sheet - late 19th century - 1981.529 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Conch shell trumpet from the island of Erromango in Vanuatu used in turtle fishing - 1981.484 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Conch Shell Trumpet

Conch shell trumpet from the island of Erromango in Vanuatu used in turtle fishing - 1981.484 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A Maori basalt club or patu onewa from New Zealand, probably 19th century. - 1981.540 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Maori Basalt Club

A Maori basalt club or patu onewa from New Zealand, probably 19th century. - 1981.540 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Stone club head from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea, 19th century - 1981.583 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Stone Club Head

Stone club head from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea, 19th century - 1981.583 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Maori wahaika or mere-mere club from New Zealand - 1987.577 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Maori Wahaika or Mere-Mere Club

Maori wahaika or mere-mere club from New Zealand - 1987.577 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Ceremonial dance paddle from the Solomon Islands, 19th century - 1981.717 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Ceremonial Dance Paddle

Ceremonial dance paddle from the Solomon Islands, 19th century - 1981.717 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Model of a vaka or outrigger canoe with twin hulls, two sails, double ended, made of carved timber and extensively inlaid with mother-of-pearl discs. The central panelling is made from pandanus fibre. Made at Manihiki in the Cook Islands some time before 1876. - 2009.8 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Model Outrigger Canoe

Model of a vaka or outrigger canoe with twin hulls, two sails, double ended, made of carved timber and extensively inlaid with mother-of-pearl discs. The central panelling is made from pandanus fibre. Made at Manihiki in the Cook Islands some time before 1876. - 2009.8 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Although said by the donor to be from New Britain it is possible that this item is actually from the Admiralty Islands (Manus Island). It is made of coloured dried grass, yellow, brown and red, with corded tie decorated with a border of small white shells. - 1977.76 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Fibre and Shell Armlet

Although said by the donor to be from New Britain it is possible that this item is actually from the Admiralty Islands (Manus Island). It is made of coloured dried grass, yellow, brown and red, with corded tie decorated with a border of small white shells. - 1977.76 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A model of a Niuginian lakatoi in wood with three sails, hull and outrigger hull, made with two decks. The model was made by a Papuan around 1950. - 2010.10 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Model of a Lakatoi

A model of a Niuginian lakatoi in wood with three sails, hull and outrigger hull, made with two decks. The model was made by a Papuan around 1950. - 2010.10 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Late 19th or early 20th century Kanak sling stone from New Caledonia in dark coloured stone carved to two points at each end. - 2013.18 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Kanak Sling Stone

Late 19th or early 20th century Kanak sling stone from New Caledonia in dark coloured stone carved to two points at each end. - 2013.18 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century decorated Conus shell armlet from Papua New Guinea. The shell is pierced and decorated with small shell discs. This type of armet is worn on special days and when buying wives. - 1981.461 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Armlet

A late 19th century decorated Conus shell armlet from Papua New Guinea. The shell is pierced and decorated with small shell discs. This type of armet is worn on special days and when buying wives. - 1981.461 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century necklace from Papua New Guinea. The necklace is made of pink shell discs with large central white shell disc attached to a pig tusk. - 1981.491 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Tusk and Shell Necklace

A late 19th century necklace from Papua New Guinea. The necklace is made of pink shell discs with large central white shell disc attached to a pig tusk. - 1981.491 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A face ornament or fighting mask (gibigibi) dating from late 19th century Papua New Guinea. It is probably from the Collingwood Bay area of Oro province where it is worn by men. It is made from a cane frame with rows of pig tusks, fibre bindings and fire rope, terminating in boar tusks. - 1981.495 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Fighting Mask

A face ornament or fighting mask (gibigibi) dating from late 19th century Papua New Guinea. It is probably from the Collingwood Bay area of Oro province where it is worn by men. It is made from a cane frame with rows of pig tusks, fibre bindings and fire rope, terminating in boar tusks. - 1981.495 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka, from Papua New Guinea in the form of a wooden bird decorated with Abrus seeds and mother-of-pearl. The seeds, shell and mother of pearl are fixed on to the wooden base by means of an adhesive, possibly a natural resin and pins. - 1981.509 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Pectoral

A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka, from Papua New Guinea in the form of a wooden bird decorated with Abrus seeds and mother-of-pearl. The seeds, shell and mother of pearl are fixed on to the wooden base by means of an adhesive, possibly a natural resin and pins. - 1981.509 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

An early 19th century wooden war club from Fiji. The club is in dark wood with plain shaft and curved head in the form of a Pandanus fruit terminating in a point. The scholar of Fijian culture Fergus Clunie has said: "…the totokia was intended to "peck" holes in skulls." It "…delivered a deadly blow in an abrupt but vicious stab, not requiring the wide swinging arc demanded by the others". - 1981.610 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Totokia Club

An early 19th century wooden war club from Fiji. The club is in dark wood with plain shaft and curved head in the form of a Pandanus fruit terminating in a point. The scholar of Fijian culture Fergus Clunie has said: "…the totokia was intended to "peck" holes in skulls." It "…delivered a deadly blow in an abrupt but vicious stab, not requiring the wide swinging arc demanded by the others". - 1981.610 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A 19th century clay water vessel or saqa moli from Fiji consisting of a cluster of four hollow, connected and communicating spheres glazed with kauri gum. - 1981.858 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Saqa Moli

A 19th century clay water vessel or saqa moli from Fiji consisting of a cluster of four hollow, connected and communicating spheres glazed with kauri gum. - 1981.858 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure in wood. The vertical figure carved from a single wooden post and is decorated in blue, white and brown pigment. - 1981.1434 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Malagan Totem

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure in wood. The vertical figure carved from a single wooden post and is decorated in blue, white and brown pigment. - 1981.1434 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late nineteenth century war shield from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea. Collected by David M. Ballantine of Sogeri, Port Moresby, Papua. - 1981.709 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

War Shield

A late nineteenth century war shield from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea. Collected by David M. Ballantine of Sogeri, Port Moresby, Papua. - 1981.709 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure of a bird with head and outstretched wings. The eyes of the bird are formed from Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1439 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Totem

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure of a bird with head and outstretched wings. The eyes of the bird are formed from Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1439 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a wooden panel with bird facing right carved in high relief. The eye is made from the Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1438 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Totem

A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a wooden panel with bird facing right carved in high relief. The eye is made from the Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1438 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka from Papua New Guinea in the stylised form of a quadruped animal, possibly a flying fox. The wooden base decorated with Abrus seeds, shell and with a tapa cloth pouch with feathers fixed to it by cord. - 1981.508 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Pectoral

A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka from Papua New Guinea in the stylised form of a quadruped animal, possibly a flying fox. The wooden base decorated with Abrus seeds, shell and with a tapa cloth pouch with feathers fixed to it by cord. - 1981.508 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A 19th century war club from the Solomon Islands, probably Malaita Island. The club is made from dark wood with a fine surface and patina. - 1981.605 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

War Club

A 19th century war club from the Solomon Islands, probably Malaita Island. The club is made from dark wood with a fine surface and patina. - 1981.605 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A 19th century shell fish hook from Oceania, probably Tahiti, made from mother-of-pearl. - 1981.1352 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Fish Hook

A 19th century shell fish hook from Oceania, probably Tahiti, made from mother-of-pearl. - 1981.1352 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Kastom Mask from Malekula Island, Vanuatu. - 2009.42 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Kastom Mask from Vanuatu

Kastom Mask from Malekula Island, Vanuatu. - 2009.42 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Nineteenth century shell and fibre necklace from Papua New Guinea collected by David M. Ballantine (1868-1909) - 1981.504 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Shell and Fibre Necklace from Papua New Guinea

Nineteenth century shell and fibre necklace from Papua New Guinea collected by David M. Ballantine (1868-1909) - 1981.504 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

A nineteenth century war club from New Caledonia. - 1981.602 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

War Club from New Caledonia

A nineteenth century war club from New Caledonia. - 1981.602 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.

Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved hornbill head with Turbo petholatus opercula as eyes. Late 19th century. Used in Malagan ceremonies - 1981.1435 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Malagan totem head from New Ireland decorated with various pigments, including lime, and the eyes made from Turbo petholatus opercula. Late 19th century - 1981.1437 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Tapa barkcloth sheet - late 19th century - 1981.529 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Conch shell trumpet from the island of Erromango in Vanuatu used in turtle fishing - 1981.484 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A Maori basalt club or patu onewa from New Zealand, probably 19th century. - 1981.540 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Stone club head from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea, 19th century - 1981.583 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Maori wahaika or mere-mere club from New Zealand - 1987.577 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Ceremonial dance paddle from the Solomon Islands, 19th century - 1981.717 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Model of a vaka or outrigger canoe with twin hulls, two sails, double ended, made of carved timber and extensively inlaid with mother-of-pearl discs. The central panelling is made from pandanus fibre. Made at Manihiki in the Cook Islands some time before 1876. - 2009.8 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Although said by the donor to be from New Britain it is possible that this item is actually from the Admiralty Islands (Manus Island). It is made of coloured dried grass, yellow, brown and red, with corded tie decorated with a border of small white shells. - 1977.76 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A model of a Niuginian lakatoi in wood with three sails, hull and outrigger hull, made with two decks. The model was made by a Papuan around 1950. - 2010.10 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Late 19th or early 20th century Kanak sling stone from New Caledonia in dark coloured stone carved to two points at each end. - 2013.18 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century decorated Conus shell armlet from Papua New Guinea. The shell is pierced and decorated with small shell discs. This type of armet is worn on special days and when buying wives. - 1981.461 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century necklace from Papua New Guinea. The necklace is made of pink shell discs with large central white shell disc attached to a pig tusk. - 1981.491 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A face ornament or fighting mask (gibigibi) dating from late 19th century Papua New Guinea. It is probably from the Collingwood Bay area of Oro province where it is worn by men. It is made from a cane frame with rows of pig tusks, fibre bindings and fire rope, terminating in boar tusks. - 1981.495 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka, from Papua New Guinea in the form of a wooden bird decorated with Abrus seeds and mother-of-pearl. The seeds, shell and mother of pearl are fixed on to the wooden base by means of an adhesive, possibly a natural resin and pins. - 1981.509 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. An early 19th century wooden war club from Fiji. The club is in dark wood with plain shaft and curved head in the form of a Pandanus fruit terminating in a point. The scholar of Fijian culture Fergus Clunie has said: "…the totokia was intended to "peck" holes in skulls." It "…delivered a deadly blow in an abrupt but vicious stab, not requiring the wide swinging arc demanded by the others". - 1981.610 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A 19th century clay water vessel or saqa moli from Fiji consisting of a cluster of four hollow, connected and communicating spheres glazed with kauri gum. - 1981.858 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure in wood. The vertical figure carved from a single wooden post and is decorated in blue, white and brown pigment. - 1981.1434 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late nineteenth century war shield from the South Coast, Papua New Guinea. Collected by David M. Ballantine of Sogeri, Port Moresby, Papua. - 1981.709 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a carved figure of a bird with head and outstretched wings. The eyes of the bird are formed from Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1439 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century Malagan totem from New Ireland in the form of a wooden panel with bird facing right carved in high relief. The eye is made from the Turbo petholatus opercula. - 1981.1438 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A late 19th century pectoral ornament or Musikaka from Papua New Guinea in the stylised form of a quadruped animal, possibly a flying fox. The wooden base decorated with Abrus seeds, shell and with a tapa cloth pouch with feathers fixed to it by cord. - 1981.508 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A 19th century war club from the Solomon Islands, probably Malaita Island. The club is made from dark wood with a fine surface and patina. - 1981.605 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A 19th century shell fish hook from Oceania, probably Tahiti, made from mother-of-pearl. - 1981.1352 © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Kastom Mask from Malekula Island, Vanuatu. - 2009.42 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. Nineteenth century shell and fibre necklace from Papua New Guinea collected by David M. Ballantine (1868-1909) - 1981.504 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock. A nineteenth century war club from New Caledonia. - 1981.602 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.