Curiosi t i es in the Collection

Human beings are curious and inquisitive. We ask curious questions and seek answers as we explore our world. The wonder of the world is one of the great aspects of the human mind and museums easily fulfill this need. Visitors come to see objects not typically seen in everyday life. Curiosity is what museums are all about.

Every museum has some oddball collections of fascinating artifacts that seem unknown or where the objects’ function and purpose are in question. These odd artifacts live in museum storerooms, but they just do not always fit in with the primary collection. While most of these unusual items never see the light of day, the Museum has decided to create an exhibit where visitors can check out some of our curious and little-known objects. The Curatorial Department has put together an exhibit called “Curiosities from the Collection” that brings these backroom objects to life for all to enjoy. Most of these items in the exhibit are custom, hand-crafted items with some type of personal function.

Holding and having a collection of curiosities is a time-honored practice dating back to human’s earliest civilizations. In fact, “cabinets of wonder” is a practice starting back in the Italian Renaissance and became the precursor to museums. Aristocrats, rich merchants, and royalty were all practitioners of keeping curiosities in a cabinet. There were many types of collections from geological, paleontological, archaeological, religious relics, and works of art. Dating back to the 16th century these collections were important to the owners as they gave social status and upheld rank, especially in European society. Many of the objects were purchased at markets by their collectors. These wealthy collectors would often fabricate a fanciful tale or epic journey about the object in their possession. Owners were always in charge of their own interpretation of the meaning of the object. Most of the time objects were displayed in random order with no chronological order.

"Cabinets of Wonder" could range from a small piece of furniture with just a few drawers or could fill up an entire building. They served as a form of entertainment. The Royal Society of London would hold an open floor for its members to display curious objects and to further educate with a special emphasis on objects from the natural world. The Royal Society had a love of the marvelous and this was something that early natural history philosophers would use to gain the admiration and attention of their audience. The display of their wares was an important part of the process. In all honesty, the cabinets were not very scientific but did give people a sense of romance and a chance for one’s imagination to be peaked.

The Museum’s new exhi bit, located in the Bouchelle Changing Gallery, includes some wild and curious pieces like a Napoleonic Whistle carved out of wood depicting his torso in milita ry dress. The interest in col lecting Napoleonic antiques started to gain popularity in the late 19th century and early 20th century, particu larly in Europe and North America, during the era of Napoleon's bicentennial anniversary and the rise of historical and military collections. The trend has continued to this day, and Napoleonic memorabilia remains a popular item among antique collectors.

Another curious object is a walnut perfume case. This object was once owned by the famous English poet, peer, and politician Lord Byron who lived from 1788 to 1824. He was one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement and is regarded as one of the greatest poets in the English language. This unusual personal item doubles as a novelty perfume case. The two bottles inside once contained an attar of roses, also known as rose oil. The tops of the bottles are each engraved with one of Byron’s initials. N. B. for Noel Byron, his full name was George Gordon Noel Byron.

A must-see in the exhibition is the most elegant chicken coup you will ever lay eyes on made in China around 1890. The coup is made of wood from an elm tree with brass fittings and looks like a piece of antique furniture. Such fancy coops were made in many regions of China using the local woods of the area. Because this henhouse is ornate, it was most likely owned by a wealthy family or individual. Many times these coops incorporated traditional Chinese architecture. They are considered very rare today.

A very curious and odd object is the 1880 French Porcelain toothpick figurine holder depicting a half-woman and half-bird being wearing a white dress. Antique toothpick holders are small, decorative containers designed to hold toothpicks. They were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and were often made of silver, glass, or ceramic. They were produced in a variety of styles, including ornate Victorian designs and Art Nouveau motifs.

The Museum also has on display a piece of wallpaper from Napoleon’s last home while in exile on the island of St. Helena. Napoleonic wallpaper refers to designs that became popular during the Napoleonic era in France, which lasted from the late 18th to early 19th century. This style of wallpaper was heavily influenced by the classical and Empire styles, which were characterized by motifs such as military emblems, eagles, and imperial symbols.

The 1880s Hunt Mug, a gift from Kenneth Worcester Dow and Mary Mohan, is a stoneware jug called a Tyg. This type of ceramic mug is typically made of thicker material and has a heavier weight compared to regular ceramic mugs. The term "tyg" is derived from the word "tankard", which was historically used to describe a large mug with a handle, typically used for drinking beer or ale. The most distinct feature of a Tyg is that it has two or more handles. This is so that the mug can be passed around a table with each new drinker holding a different handle and drinking from a different spot on the rim.

Curiosity cabinets, be they a single piece of furniture or an entire building, have played a vital role in the development of discovery and science. Eventually, museums were built to house these massive collections and give the general public access to them. No longer did they simply represent wealth but they became a way for all curious persons to experience our wonderful, wide world and support scientific education and discovery. Come to the Museum and see some unusual items from the Museum’s collection of odd decorative objects. Ask questions and learn something new. That is what the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences is here for.