This photograph of Liliʻuokalani was tied to Hawaiʻi’s international relations, representing the monarchy’s sovereign right to rule for local and global audiences.
The art of Oceania
The cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region’s inhabitants, from the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the Aboriginal people still living there.
Carvings and paintings, Kakadu
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain consists of three early 17th century sites on Vanuatu
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
When decorated, the yams represent ancestral spirits called nggwal.
Gwaikwavi Wakaniambi, Yam mask or Bapamini
Hawaiian featherworks required great skill and time to make.
Hawaiian featherworks
An ancestor's face on a slit gong
Tin Mweleun, Slit Gong (Atingting kon)
Ku-ka’ili-moko, one of the manifestations of Ku, is the Hawaiian god of war, and this one was made for and erected by King Kamehameha I at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Temple figure of war god Ku-ka’ili-moku
The finely carved wooden bowl is shaped like a bird and was used as a container for sweet drink.
Inlaid bird bowl, from Belau
A sacred object made by Rarotongan men and women represents an important deity to Cook Islanders
Staff-god
Historians, artists, anthropologists and members of the indigenous communities consider contemporary perspectives on Cook’s voyages and examine their legacy.
What is the impact and legacy of ...
A breastplate of this style, known in Fijian as civaconovono, was worn as an emblem of high status for ceremonies or during battles.
Ivory breastplate (civaconovono), Fiji
No one knows exactly how the people of Nan Madol created this royal capital made of giant stones.
Nan Madol: “In the space between things”
Masks are rare in Micronesia—traditionally they are only found in the Mortlock group of islands
Painted mask (tapuanu), Caroline Islands
Making do with local materials, the I-Kiribati tailored armor from coconut fiber and wore porcupine-fish helmets.
Kiribati armor
After a century in storage, this “Whale Rider” got a visit from his descendants—and received a token of their love.
Paikea at the American Museum of Natural ...
These giant statues embody the ancients who first voyaged to Rapa Nui. Many were toppled; all lost their coral eyes.
Voyage to the moai of Rapa Nui ...
This photograph commemorates a historic royal visit and captures the practice of Fijian gift exchange.
Presentation of Fijian Mats and Tapa Cloths ...
Australian Aboriginal art expresses the enduring relationships between people and land.
Victor Jupurrula Ross, Yarla Jukurrpa (‘Bush Potato ...
Master sailors fashioned these maps from sticks and cowrie shells, registering relationships between land and sea.
Navigation Chart, Marshall Islands
These intricate wooden carvings have confused anthropologists and confounded art historians for over a century.
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
