COLLECTIONS: EUROPEAN

A unique aspect of this collection is that it contains substantial and important collections from western and central Europe as well as Scandinavia. Until recently, the Horniman has been the only museum in the UK committed to research in this area.

Frederick Horniman was an avid collector of European material, acquiring examples of items which were in danger of being lost as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation. From 1901 - 1947, little European material entered the Museum. Since then, donations from England, Romania and the Balkans amongst others have enhanced the collections.

Notable among these collections are extensive holdings of textiles, costume, wooden utensils, paintings on glass, agricultural and domestic implements and masks from Romania, Poland, Norway and the Tyrol region.