World Cultures Collection

The Collections Team are embarking on a project to delve into ANGUSalive’s World Cultures collection. We know we have objects from every continent in the world (except perhaps Antarctica) but we often don’t have detailed information about the history of the object or its cultural significance.

Coconut Fibre Armour from Kiribati

Javanese Pot

Egyptian Plaque

Chinese Embroidery

The History of our World Cultures Collection

The World Cultures collection was largely amassed during the Victorian period corresponding with a period of growth and expansion in the British Empire. Britain was exerting economic and political power by developing colonies in areas such as Africa, India and North America. The empire was so far- reaching the famous phrase ‘the sun never sets on the British Empire’ was used to describe it.

Some of the individuals who held privileged positions travelling and trading in colonised countries also used their position to further another Victorian pastime: the collecting of curios. Curios were objects that were rare, exotic or valuable. They included wonders of the natural world, valuable works of art and cultural objects from far flung places.

The imbalance of power between coloniser and colonised led to objects being taken from their places of origin with no regard for the impact or ethics of such action. This left a legacy that endures to this day and raises questions around how we interpret these objects, how we share the narrative around Victorian collecting practices, and whether some of these objects belong back in their native countries.

Micro-commission opportunities with the World Cultures Collection in Angus

ANGUSalive Museums & Galleries are delighted to offer two micro-commission opportunities which will run alongside the upcoming exhibition ‘Perspectives: Collecting the World’, which will be on show at Montrose Museum from 2 August to 3 November 2025.

These commissions are funded by Creative Scotland and work produced will make a valuable contribution to a wider project funded by Museum Galleries Scotland to re-evaluate the Angus World Cultures collection and engage meaningfully in sector wide work to address the legacy of Empire and colonialism in Scottish museums.

The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2025.

More Information

Have Your Say

ANGUSalive cares for the World Cultures Collection on behalf of the people of Angus, therefore we need to hear your voices: are you part of a community whose culture is represented by objects in our collection? Do these objects have a special relevance to you? Do you think you could help us ensure our museum displays are diverse, inclusive and tolerant?

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