Pacific Encounters

Made from wooden sticks and cowrie shells, this personal map from Majel (the Marshall Islands) was used by navigators to remember areas of ocean. This chart would have been an important tool to teach the art of wayfinding. The curved sticks represent currents and wave patterns, while the shells mark specific islands. 

This elaborate timekeeper from 1769 has a fascinating story to tell. It was used during Captain James Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific (1772-75) to help calculate longitude (the position located east to west). The clock performed exceptionally well, and was even described by Cook as ‘our trusty friend’. The clock is based on H4, a prize-winning timekeeper created by clockmaker John Harrison. 

Following his work on Cook’s first Pacific voyage (1768-71), scientist Sir Joseph Banks commissioned artist George Stubbs to create two paintings of a kangaroo and a dingo.

Despite never having seen the animals in person, Stubbs created these artworks based on the sketches, descriptions and animal skins brought back from the voyage. Stubbs’s paintings are the first depictions of the Australian animals in Western art. 

Bark cloth is a textile made by beating the inner bark of trees, such as mulberry. This piece dates from the 19th century and has a bold design, incorporating shell patterns and symbols representing centipedes.

While it's unknown where this bark cloth originated, suggestions include Niue, Rarotonga or Samoa.

Signed and dated ‘W Bligh / April 1789’, this coconut bowl was used by Captain William Bligh on his endeavour from Tofua to Timor. Captain Bligh commanded HMS Bounty, a ship that set out on an expedition from Tahiti in 1787 to collect breadfruit to transport to the West Indies.  

The voyage was beset with difficulties and culminated in a mutiny. Bligh and 18 men were cast adrift in an open boat. Bligh navigated from memory to sail to Timor, an undertaking that took 47 days. This cup was used by Bligh during this turbulent time.

Mai became the first Pacific Islander to visit Britain when he joined HMS Adventure, a vessel that accompanied Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific.

During his time in Britain, Mai was seen as a celebrity – and also an object of curiosity. He was introduced to King George III, taken to the theatre and painted by leading artists. Mai returned to Tahiti two years later with European gifts and weapons.

Gain a deeper insight into some of the Museum’s most prized – and lesser-known – objects on display with one of our friendly guides.

Daily tours are available when you visit, or you can choose to follow one of our dedicated audio guides and explore the Museum at your own pace.