| Object History Note | There are records of four toi moko in the 'Inventory of the Principal Curiosities natural and artificial, preserved in the Museum and Library of Marischal College and University of Aberdeen' by Professor William Knight c. 1840 (AUL MS M106): "Head of New Zealand Warrior, in good preservation. Presented [1821 by Lieutenant Reid, R.N.]", "Two Heads of New Zealand Warriors. Presented, November 1824 by the Most Noble the Marquis of Huntly, Chancellor of the University", "Head of New Zealand female. Presented, August 1827, by Sir Charles Forbes, Baronet, M.P".
The 'Senatus Minutes of King's College' for 1823 (Vol 15, p167) records the donation of another head by Christopher Nockells on 1st August 1823. This was presented alongside a number of other items, many from New Zealand, which had been collected by him 'during two trips round the world that I performed in one voyage of two years and eight months from England'. Text description in the minutes: "New Zealand chief's head tattoo'd".
The 'Report by the Museum Committee for 1905-1906' records the acquisition of another head: "Maori skull from New Zealand. Presented by Miss Baughan, Canterbury Kent". |