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Exhibitions currently running:
The Art of Harmony - This free exhibition focuses on particular instrument traditions of Western classical music and features some of the finest, rarest and most ornate examples of their types. They are divided into six groups: according to function under the titles Consort, Continuo and Salon, and according to constructional or acoustical features under the titles Resonances, Virtuoso and Encore. The oldest instrument on display, the Jerome of Bologna harpsichord from 1521, is seen together with its red and gold tooled leather outer case. Many of the stringed instruments, including lutes and viols, have intricate inlay work in ivory, ebony and mother of pearl. Others, like the exquisitely carved octagonal recorder by Anciuti, are made entirely of ivory. Until March 2013.
African World - The first permanent exhibition in Britain dedicated to African art and culture, African Worlds celebrates the continent's diversity, history and creativity. It brings together a rich mixture of sculpture and decorative arts explained through the voices of elders, maskers, drummers, diviners, artists, exiles, curators and anthropologists. Objects from across Africa are displayed from Egypt to Zimbabwe, and from African related cultures including Brazil and Trinidad. Highlights include masterpieces of the bronze casters art from Benin which depict the arrival of the first Europeans to Africa, and the spectacular Igbo Ijele, Africa's largest mask, and the only one of its kind on display in Britain. The Ijele sits alongside other impressive Dogon and Bwa masks from Mali and Burkina Faso which themselves tower up to five metres high. The gallery also features three religious altars from Benin, Haiti and Brazil which reveal an insight into non Western religious beliefs and draw parallels between African societies. One of the most popular displays is dedicated to Kemet (Ancient Egypt) and showcases Egyptian mummies and other artefacts collected by Frederick Horniman. Permanent.
Aquarium - Immerse yourself in the wonderful underwater worlds of the new Aquarium. Journey through delicate environments and ecosystems from teeming British Pond Life, stunning and sensitive Rockpools, tropical Fijian Coral Reefs, to mysterious Mangrove Swamps and a breathtaking South American Rainforest display. Discover captivating creatures from across the world including jellyfish, seahorses and tropical monkey frogs amongst others. Amazing tank-viewing dens and interactive displays get you up close to these fantastic worlds. Permanent.
Centenary gallery: 100 Years of Collecting - The world cultures collection has a new permanent space in the newly opened Centenary gallery with artefacts from cultures and civilisations from every continent on display. The gallery focuses on the collectors who have brought the objects to the Horniman over the last 100 years, from Frederick Horniman himself to esteemed anthropologist Alfred Cort Haddon to current curators who have travelled as far afield as Nigeria, South West America and Papua New Guinea.
Dense displays and varied lighting provide a sense of spectacle and depth to the amazing collection of more than 1,000 objects and convey something of the richness, beauty and diversity of the Museum's collections. Highlights include beautifully crafted images of the Buddha from Japan and Burma and very rare dance crests from Papua New Guinea made for a ceremony which only takes place every 25 years.
One of the most fascinating exhibits is the Museum's very own Spanish Inquisition Torture chair. One of Frederick Horniman's original purchases, it reputedly originated from Cuenca in 1646 but has been subsequently believed to be a fake! For more details please visit www.horniman.ac.uk
