Discover an outstanding collection of international treasures in the People of the World Gallery.
 
Objects can help us to understand the world around us and this gallery provides an insight into cultures and traditions worldwide.
 
Find ancient Greek pottery, examples of the world’s earliest forms of writing from Mesopotamia, and sculpture and fine artwork from Ancient Egypt. There are stunning decorative arts from Asia and Europe, including Venetian glass, Tibetan Buddhist material, Chinese snuff bottles and ceramics from around the world. Other treasures include a striking collection of swords, a large collection of West African Ashanti cast bronze figures used for weighing gold, and a beautiful array of costumes and textiles. 
 
This gallery investigates why people value the things they collect and offers examples of how and why rare and valuable artefacts from other cultures arrived in Otago. There’s also a cross-cultural costume display that illustrates how people around the world modify their dress and appearance to conform to social ideals and structures. Objects relating to ancient discoveries offer insights into the way in which the present has been shaped by the past.

Downloadable Children's Activity
Write like an Egyptian