Mr John Copp Collection, Pacific artefacts, late 19th century

Brief description

During 1889-1890, Mr John Copp donated to and exchanged with the Australian Museum a collection of 27 mainly Pacific artefacts. The collection is comprised of various objects common in pacific culture.

Full description

During 1889-1890, Mr John Copp, a Chemist from Darlington Sydney, donated to and exchanged with the Australian Museum a collection of 27 artefacts from the Pacific. This includes Fiji, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa, as well as India. Objects within the collection include a bark cloth, drum, axe, dagger, headrest, basket, bucket, hook, strainer and plate. There are also items related to kava, the drink commonly consumed within the Pacific region. This includes a kava bowl, kava cup, and 12 pieces of dried kava root. Other objects of interest include a wooden headrest, known as a kalimasi, which enabled elaborate hairstyles to remain in place while sleeping. Also, a wooden hook which, according to the Australian Museum register, was used in olden times for human flesh.