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Muslim Collections at Museum Victoria
Image: Loading Wool Bales on a Camel
Source: Museum Victoria
Muslim-related material has been collected by Museum Victoria from the late 19th century, albeit in very small numbers. Amongst the earliest acquisitions were two 'Mohammedan' clay figures from India that were exhibited at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. Later, numismatics acquisitions considerably increased the Muslim-related collections.
Following the formal establishment of the Social History Department in 1986, an Immigration and Cultural Diversity Collection was established in 1990. The collection aimed to document the diverse ethnicities, nationalities and races of the Victorian population and their impact on Victoria's history and development. It particularly focused on the immigration and settlement experience of Victorians. It did not identify Islam as a specific focus for collection development.
In 2004 the Immigration and Cultural Diversity Collection became the Migration Collection and the Cultural Diversity Cross-collection. At that time, short-comings in collection holdings relating to religion were identified. Further research was required to identify which objects, images and documents might record the Muslim experience and culture. In 2009, a study project identified 152 images and a small number of objects such as documents, weapons and textiles were identified, as well as 1074 numismatics objects, mostly currency from Muslim countries. Many required further research to improve documentation; further work is required to identify additional material in the History & Technology and Indigenous Cultures collections.
References:Pamela Koehne-Drube, 2009. 'Museum Victoria: Muslim Collection'. Student Project, Public History, Monash University
Deborah Tout-Smith, 2005. 'Cultural Diversity Collection Plan', History & Technology Department, Museum Victoria.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 11 - 20) 51 items
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National Doll - Pakistani, circa 1961
National doll produced to represent a Pakistani woman. It was sent to Monica Gates by Begum D. A. Hidayatullah, General Secretary, All Pakistan Women's Association, in 1961. In the acco ...
Images: 1 -
Postcard - 'Afghan Camel Rider, South Australia', South Australia, 1900-1920
Postcard featuring black and white image of man wearing turban, seated on camel, made circa 1900 - 1920.
Images: 2 -
National Doll - Afghan, circa 1978
National doll produced to represent an Afghan woman wearing a headcovering which is either a yashmak or chadri. It was given to Monica Gates by her mother who purchased it at the Kabul ...
Images: 1 -
National Doll - Afghan, circa 1978
National doll seated as if in prayer, which was produced to represent an Afghan man. It was given to Monica Gates by her mother who purchased it at the Kabul bazaar on an overland campi ...
Images: 3 -
National Doll - Bahraini, circa 1981
National doll produced to represent Bahraini man. It was collected by Monica Gates in 1981 on her way to Europe. Bahrain is a small archipelago of thirty-three islands in the Persian Gu ...
Images: 1 -
Ceremonial Costume - Albanian, Female, circa 1900
Alternative Name(s): Ceremonial Ensemble This female ceremonial costume reflects the traditional style of the Dumre region in central Albania. It was made around 1900 and was purchased ...
From: Krujë, Albania Images: 1 -
Negative - Camel Team & Wagon, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, circa 1910
A large camel team in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, yoked three abreast, pulling a wagon. Dated to circa 1910. The camels and their cameleers helped carry supplies inland for the mini ...
From: Kalgoorlie, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - A Man in Front of a Camel Train, Corunna Station, Iron Knob District, South Aus ...
A man in front of a camel train on Corunna Station The camels are yoked in pairs and are pulling a wagon. The image was captured by T. Davidson in 1928. The camels and their cameleers ...
From: Iron Knob, Australia Images: 1 -
Negative - Camel Carrying a Pack, Nonning Station, South Australia, circa 1938
A camel carrying a pack at "Nonning" sheep station, South Australia. There are water tanks in the background. Dated to circa 1938. The camels and their cameleers helped carry supplies ...
From: Mount Nonning, Australia Images: 1 -
Trowel - Albanian Mosque, Shepparton, 1956
Metal trowel with worn wooden handle. This trowel was used to lay the foundation stone of Victoria's first Albanian mosque, in Shepparton, 1956. The stone was laid by Myrteza Adem and R ...
From: Shepparton, Australia Images: 2
