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Strange objects and natural history

The first of what we now call “ethnographic objects” entered the Genevan collections in the 18th century, at a turning point in history. Around 1750, the ambition to construct scientific knowledge of the world competed with curiosity about strangeness. Voyages of exploration, maritime trade, evangelisation and colonisation facilitated the acquisition of souvenirs, trophies or collections.

Oddities

The "wonders" donated to the Public Library by Genevan citizens or visiting travellers resonated with the books in its collection. Mysterious objects and travel stories told of the surprising encounter with an often fantasised elsewhere.

Bibliograpy

• Buyssens, Danielle. 2002. "Le premier musée de Genève", in "La Bibliothèque étant un ornement public...". Genève : Bibliothèque publique, 124