MOA’s Cabinet of Curiosities

June 16, 2015 – February 20, 2016

Cabinets of curiosities, also known as wunderkammern or wonder rooms, first appeared in mid-sixteenth century Europe as private collections of exotic and extraordinary objects. These collections, which included objects related to many disciplines including fine art, natural history, and anthropology, can be seen as the precursors to modern museums. In this student-curated exhibit, the Museum evokes the aesthetic of the cabinet of curiosity while showcasing the diversity of its permanent collection. With objects ranging from life-sized brass leopards to Aboriginal dot paintings, from an Egyptian mummy casing to a necklace of human teeth, and from Amazonian arrows to Kachina dolls, the exhibit will inspire curiosity about peoples and cultures around the world.