Thursday, March 22, 2012

Last privately held object from Captain Cook's collection donated to UBC Museum of Anthropology


Art Daily Newsletter


Ceremonial club, composite photo by Bill McLennan, UBC MOA.

VANCOUVER, BC.- An object of global historical and cultural significance, received by explorer Captain James Cook from a Canadian First Nation during his final voyage (1776-1779), is being donated to the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology by a leading arts philanthropist. Recently purchased through a private dealer in New York, and valued at $1.2 million, the rare ceremonial club was the last remaining object from Captain Cook’s personal collection not housed in a public museum. Thanks to the Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts, the club returns to British Columbia, where the famous explorer received it from the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island’s west coast in 1778, or 234 years ago. “This ceremonial club has immense historical and cultural value. I am delighted to play a part in its return to Canada’s west coast,” says Michael Audain, chairman of the Audain Foundati ... More

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