PACIFIC PRESENCES – KIRIBATI (GILBERT ISLANDS OR KINGSMILL) COCONUT FIBRE ARMOUR COLLECTIONS IN UK MUSEUMS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Pacific Presences, a major 5 year ERC funded project, co-ordinated by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge is investigating the art and history of the Pacific, and Europe's engagement with Oceania, through the rich ethnographic collections found in many European museums. (see MEG newsletter November 2013 and Project website).

As part of the project the British Museum, a Pacific Presences partner, is investigating its own collection of Kiribati coconut fibre armour and is compiling a survey of Kiribati armour held in other UK Museums. These distinctive Micronesian artefacts are known to feature in many UK museum collections and information which would help build a comprehensive, contemporary picture of their UK museum presence would be very helpful.

Any information members may be able to provide would be welcomed, but if you are able to include details such as images, museum reference numbers, acquisition year and collector name, or other ethnographic information about these artefacts it would be much appreciated.

If MEG members can assist with information, please email either Polly Bence ( PBence@britishmuseum.org ) or Geoff Rubenstein ( GRubenstein@britishmuseum.org ) at the British Museum.

Contact with individual UK institutions will be made in due course.