German Ethnographic Museums

Tim Simmons · 13th September 2009, 11:41 AM

I may have the good fortune to make a long weekend trip to one of the German ethnographic museums. The only problem is that on the web they all seem excellent which I am sure they are; Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin.

As you may know my main interest is Africa and the South Seas. I will only be able to do one. Is there one that is gernerally thought of having the best collection of these two areas? Any recomendations and comments?

Tatyana Dianova · 13th September 2009, 09:10 PM

Tim, I have visited ethnographic museums in Munich, Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. In Dresden the museum building is still under the reconstruction, so they have only some exhibitions and no regular museum rooms.
In Berlin I have had only 2 hours for the Dahlem museum, so I haven't visited the rooms that may be of interest to you. I have looked only at the Indian and South-Eastern exposition, and, well, I was more disappointed than impressed. For example, the Indian arms shown at the Indian museum you may count on the fingers of one hand :-( The same for Munich (but I was lucky to see there a Japanese exhibition :-)
The Grassi museum in Leipzig is my favorite: it has very well made and interesting exposition, with many arms shown, among them many African arms. Although this museum was newly restored, its exposition resembles by its style old museums, unlike Berlin (or Leiden, which was another disappointment to me – a lot of museum space - and not so many items shown…)

Tim Simmons · 14th September 2009, 07:34 PM

Thank you Tatyana. There must be other people who have more information? To narrow it down I would be most keen to see what might be thought as the best collection of South Seas, Bismark Archipelago material?

Sajen · 14th September 2009, 09:14 PM

Hello Tim,

i am a little bit shamed, because I don't have visited one of the german museums. But I have listen that the musem in Cologne have a good collection.
Sorry that I can't give you a better advise.

Detlef

Tim Simmons · 15th September 2009, 06:39 PM

Hamburg web site looks good. Cologne is easy to get to by train. Kolsch + Himmel un Äd

Sajen · 15th September 2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Hamburg web site looks good. Cologne is easy to get to by train. Kolsch + Himmel un Äd

Prost!

stekemest · 17th September 2009, 01:52 PM

There is a nice ethnographic museum in Stuttgart:
http://www.lindenmuseum.de/html/english/home/home.php

Not many weapons, but a lot to see nevertheless. I'd recommend it.
(There are other good museums in Stuttgart as well - the Württemberg State Museum has a nice collection of Bronze and Iron Age weapons: http://www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de/en/index.php)

The Museum in Berlin has a very nice South Sea collection with complete huts and boats!

Peter

Wodimi · 20th September 2009, 07:58 PM

my favourite museums in Germany are also in Berlin/Dahlem, next the Linden museum in Stuttgart as Peter say. The third place for me have the Überseemuseum in Bremen. It is direct beside the railway station and they have a magazine, which is public and show most of their stuff.
In any case, if you look for weapons, it will be not really successful. But no problem, if you're near Hannover, you're welcome in my privat African museum with a lot of weapons. Only let me know Tim, you're very welcome.
Best
Wolf

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2011, 05:28 PM

Well I finally got to Berlin last weekend and great fun was had. The most excellent beer and once found the most delicious "German" food. I have taken a few pictures of things that people might find interesting. Sadly there is not a lot of weapons on display but the Dalham has very fine objects. Whole ocean sailing craft from Tonga and other islands. The most wonderful eye popping sculpture from New Ireland. I even took a picture or two of Indian weapons as I know most members are in that groove. Lots to crop and show so it will be a series of replies. Frist lovely things from New Caledonia. The biggest with the brown colour jade like stone is at least 15 inches in diameter. Super! I am now think of Koln in the very near future.

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2011, 07:12 PM

Large heavy staff. I did not take notes but I would say it was Admiralty islands. You might need to put some cream on that!

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2011, 08:34 PM

Its that women again? She keeps doing that, I just do not know where to look!

Billman · 1st March 2011, 09:36 PM

Don't know how you are travelling, but if by car from the UK to Germany, you may want to detour via Leiden in Holland - if their on-line collection is anything to go by, you may not even get to Germany....

Its about 30km north of Rotterdam

see: http://www.rmv.nl/index.aspx?lang=en

migueldiaz · 2nd March 2011, 07:10 AM

Hello. If ever anybody will stumble upon any Philippine object, kindly please post the info in this thread. If I'll have the chance to be in the region one of these days, I'll surely find time to visit those museums. Regards to all!

TimW · 2nd March 2011, 08:24 AM

I have visited the Klingenmuseum in Solingen several times. It is not an etnic museum, but shows an incredible collection on edged tools from all ages / origins. You'll find pieces dating from stone age, luristan, celtic / viking / till modern times. If you're fond of knives, it is a must see!

More info on http://www.klingenmuseum.de/cms/index.php

cheers

Tim

Tim Simmons · 8th March 2011, 08:36 PM

Trying out a new PC so I have no idea what this picture is like untill it is post. Mexican stone blade. Very fine work sorry this is the only view I could capture. It is a big blade at the very least 30cm.

Tim Simmons · 8th March 2011, 09:18 PM

Solomons!

asomotif · 8th March 2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Solomons!

Especially for the kids... Brush your teeth ! and visit the dentist at least once a year, preferrably twice !

Ps. I visted Berlin about 8 years ago.
I remember that they had wonderfull African objects at that time
Also I remember the goods food and beer, and bratwurst sellers

Have they already put a ban on the bratwurst selling on the streets ?

there was a plan to do so a few years ago..

Tim Simmons · 9th March 2011, 07:23 AM

A few Indian pieces to follow just to keep a wider interest. You can eat wurst every km or so in some places and to my surprise the the "locals" backstreet pub you can still somke untill next year and enjoy beer. In one way I was saddend that I no longer smoke. I enjoyed the street wurst but I would never buy a street hotdog in London?

Tim Simmons · 9th March 2011, 05:44 PM

More heads.

Tim Simmons · 11th March 2011, 06:36 PM

Cameroon.

Tim Simmons · 12th March 2011, 08:19 AM

Nice work on the scabbard fittings.

Tim Simmons · 12th March 2011, 09:47 PM

Lovely stone work on the grip. Just think the gaudy gold and ruby addition is ugly.

Battara · 13th March 2011, 01:45 AM

Oh....I don't know......I love the gold and ruby stuff..

Tim Simmons · 13th March 2011, 08:23 PM

Something not often seen. Indigenus weapons North Argentina. Curious finish to the distal end, perhaps female?

Tim Simmons · 25th March 2011, 07:24 PM

This picture is from the Linden museum Stuttgart. There is a similar sculpture in the Dalhem but on my visit, the New Guinea Sepik section it is housed in was roped off so I was unable to get a picture. It is also fixed to the gable end of the mens house and is said to be for the display of trophy skulls/ancestor skulls { that is my translation using a pocket English/German dictionay }

What is most stricking is the similarity to Micronesian "Dilukai" Is there a cultural link? google Dilukia and you could be lead to believe not? However one seems to be the heavy version and the other, scary lady lite to use a marketing term.

Tim Simmons · 27th March 2011, 07:21 PM

Not your usual talwar but no scabbard. In spite of the poor photo the blade does look quite nice?

Tim Simmons · 29th March 2011, 09:05 PM

Very nice, New Guinea. Anybody got one like it?

Tim Simmons · 30th March 2011, 05:56 PM

I like this New Guinea pole club, very simple beauty.

Tim Simmons · 2nd April 2011, 05:33 PM

Last two, so you see it was jolly nice in Berlin.

13th September 2009, 11:41 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	German Ethnographic Museums I may have the good fortune to make a long weekend trip to one of the German ethnographic museums. The only problem is that on the web they all seem excellent which I am sure they are; Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin. As you may know my main interest is Africa and the South Seas. I will only be able to do one. Is there one that is gernerally thought of having the best collection of these two areas? Any recomendations and comments?

20th September 2009, 07:58 PM	#8
Wodimi Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 75	my favourite museums in Germany are also in Berlin/Dahlem, next the Linden museum in Stuttgart as Peter say. The third place for me have the Überseemuseum in Bremen. It is direct beside the railway station and they have a magazine, which is public and show most of their stuff. In any case, if you look for weapons, it will be not really successful. But no problem, if you're near Hannover, you're welcome in my privat African museum with a lot of weapons. Only let me know Tim, you're very welcome. Best Wolf Last edited by Lew; 1st March 2011 at 06:10 PM.

1st March 2011, 05:28 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Dahlam Berlin Well I finally got to Berlin last weekend and great fun was had. The most excellent beer and once found the most delicious "German" food. I have taken a few pictures of things that people might find interesting. Sadly there is not a lot of weapons on display but the Dalham has very fine objects. Whole ocean sailing craft from Tonga and other islands. The most wonderful eye popping sculpture from New Ireland. I even took a picture or two of Indian weapons as I know most members are in that groove. Lots to crop and show so it will be a series of replies. Frist lovely things from New Caledonia. The biggest with the brown colour jade like stone is at least 15 inches in diameter. Super! I am now think of Koln in the very near future. Attached Images

1st March 2011, 07:12 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Crocodile tears Large heavy staff. I did not take notes but I would say it was Admiralty islands. You might need to put some cream on that! Attached Images

1st March 2011, 08:34 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Its that women again? She keeps doing that, I just do not know where to look! Attached Images

13th September 2009, 09:10 PM	#2
Tatyana Dianova Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 678	Tim, I have visited ethnographic museums in Munich, Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. In Dresden the museum building is still under the reconstruction, so they have only some exhibitions and no regular museum rooms. In Berlin I have had only 2 hours for the Dahlem museum, so I haven't visited the rooms that may be of interest to you. I have looked only at the Indian and South-Eastern exposition, and, well, I was more disappointed than impressed. For example, the Indian arms shown at the Indian museum you may count on the fingers of one hand :-( The same for Munich (but I was lucky to see there a Japanese exhibition :-) The Grassi museum in Leipzig is my favorite: it has very well made and interesting exposition, with many arms shown, among them many African arms. Although this museum was newly restored, its exposition resembles by its style old museums, unlike Berlin (or Leiden, which was another disappointment to me – a lot of museum space - and not so many items shown…)

14th September 2009, 07:34 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Thank you Tatyana. There must be other people who have more information? To narrow it down I would be most keen to see what might be thought as the best collection of South Seas, Bismark Archipelago material?

14th September 2009, 09:14 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,489	Hello Tim, i am a little bit shamed, because I don't have visited one of the german museums. But I have listen that the musem in Cologne have a good collection. Sorry that I can't give you a better advise. Detlef

15th September 2009, 06:39 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Hamburg web site looks good. Cologne is easy to get to by train. Kolsch + Himmel un Äd

17th September 2009, 01:52 PM	#7
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	There is a nice ethnographic museum in Stuttgart: http://www.lindenmuseum.de/html/english/home/home.php Not many weapons, but a lot to see nevertheless. I'd recommend it. (There are other good museums in Stuttgart as well - the Württemberg State Museum has a nice collection of Bronze and Iron Age weapons: http://www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de/en/index.php) The Museum in Berlin has a very nice South Sea collection with complete huts and boats! Peter

1st March 2011, 09:36 PM	#12
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Museum Volkenkunde, Leiden Don't know how you are travelling, but if by car from the UK to Germany, you may want to detour via Leiden in Holland - if their on-line collection is anything to go by, you may not even get to Germany.... Its about 30km north of Rotterdam see: http://www.rmv.nl/index.aspx?lang=en

2nd March 2011, 07:10 AM	#13
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Hello. If ever anybody will stumble upon any Philippine object, kindly please post the info in this thread. If I'll have the chance to be in the region one of these days, I'll surely find time to visit those museums. Regards to all!

2nd March 2011, 08:24 AM	#14
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	I have visited the Klingenmuseum in Solingen several times. It is not an etnic museum, but shows an incredible collection on edged tools from all ages / origins. You'll find pieces dating from stone age, luristan, celtic / viking / till modern times. If you're fond of knives, it is a must see! More info on http://www.klingenmuseum.de/cms/index.php cheers Tim

8th March 2011, 08:36 PM	#15
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Trying out a new PC so I have no idea what this picture is like untill it is post. Mexican stone blade. Very fine work sorry this is the only view I could capture. It is a big blade at the very least 30cm. Attached Images

8th March 2011, 09:18 PM	#16
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Solomons! Attached Images

9th March 2011, 07:23 AM	#18
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	A few Indian pieces to follow just to keep a wider interest. You can eat wurst every km or so in some places and to my surprise the the "locals" backstreet pub you can still somke untill next year and enjoy beer. In one way I was saddend that I no longer smoke. I enjoyed the street wurst but I would never buy a street hotdog in London? Attached Images

9th March 2011, 05:44 PM	#19
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Heads or tails? More heads. Attached Images

11th March 2011, 06:36 PM	#20
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Cameroon. Attached Images

12th March 2011, 08:19 AM	#21
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Nice work on the scabbard fittings. Attached Images

12th March 2011, 09:47 PM	#22
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Lovely stone work on the grip. Just think the gaudy gold and ruby addition is ugly. Attached Images

13th March 2011, 01:45 AM	#23
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Oh....I don't know......I love the gold and ruby stuff..

13th March 2011, 08:23 PM	#24
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Something not often seen. Indigenus weapons North Argentina. Curious finish to the distal end, perhaps female? Attached Images

25th March 2011, 07:24 PM	#25
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	This picture is from the Linden museum Stuttgart. There is a similar sculpture in the Dalhem but on my visit, the New Guinea Sepik section it is housed in was roped off so I was unable to get a picture. It is also fixed to the gable end of the mens house and is said to be for the display of trophy skulls/ancestor skulls { that is my translation using a pocket English/German dictionay } What is most stricking is the similarity to Micronesian "Dilukai" Is there a cultural link? google Dilukia and you could be lead to believe not? However one seems to be the heavy version and the other, scary lady lite to use a marketing term. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 25th March 2011 at 08:10 PM.

27th March 2011, 07:21 PM	#26
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Not your usual talwar but no scabbard. In spite of the poor photo the blade does look quite nice? Attached Images

29th March 2011, 09:05 PM	#27
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Very nice, New Guinea. Anybody got one like it? Attached Images

30th March 2011, 05:56 PM	#28
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	I like this New Guinea pole club, very simple beauty. Attached Images

2nd April 2011, 05:33 PM	#29
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Last two, so you see it was jolly nice in Berlin. Attached Images