120 Years in 120 Objects

Join the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in celebrating the museum’s 120^th year of orbiting the sun. Staff and guest curators have chosen one object or item per year of our existence to highlight to the public. Visit the website and our social media platforms regularly to see the latest object and keep an eye out for information about a physical exhibition later this year!

Today’s Object is from 1905

The lost whale skeleton by Heather Frost, Senior Exhibitions Officer

The Museum once had a Southern Right Whale skeleton that was on display in the “Whale House”, which was situated in the Museum gardens. The Whale House and skeleton were sadly destroyed by a fire at 12:30am, 25^th August 1906.

1905 Whale skeleton

This photograph taken in 1906 is the only known image of the skeleton. The framed photograph is currently on display in the Student Gallery.

This excerpt taken from the 1905 Natal Government Museum report states:

In the Garden, in the rear of the main building, a Whale-House (53ft. X 15ft. X 15ft.), for the exhibition of a whale-bone whale, has been satisfactorily erected by the Museum artisan. It is a wood and iron structure with concrete flooring. The building will be again referred to in dealing with the additions to the Mammal Collection.

The Taxidermist at the present time is engaged on mounting the skeleton of a specimen of Whale-bone Whale (Balaena australis) in the out-building above mentioned.

The specimen was stranded off Port Elizabeth, and was acquired from the Museum of that town. It is proposed to build a model of the whale over one half of the skeleton. Assistance as to the proportions and general aspect of the animal is obtained from the fine monograph, “The Whale-bone Whales,” by Frederick W. True, ‘Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge,’ vol. xxxiii, 1904.

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120 Years in 120 Objects

Today’s Object is from 1906

Japanese glaives by Bernhard Zipfel Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and Ghilraen Laue, Curator of Special Collections

The KwaZulu-Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg, houses a small collection of edged weapons from outside of Africa. This collection includes Kukri knives from India, Dha knives from Burma and swords from Europe. Included in this collection are a pair of Japanese “pole arms”, more specifically, naginata or glaives. These items are some of the few known Japanese artefacts within the museum's collection and give a rare glimpse into Japanese weaponry. A signature was identified on one of the naginata, identifying it as "Tadayuki, Guardian of Settsu province," a renowned swordsmith associated with Setsu province during the Shinto era (1596-1781). However, further investigation reveals discrepancies in the signature compared to known swordsmiths bearing the same name. The study concludes that the signature is likely a gimei (counterfeit inscription), common in antique items but probably still of Edo period (1600-1868) vintage. The naginata were accessioned into the collection in 1906, but there is very little information on how they were acquired. They probably made their way to the museum through British officials who travelled to the Natal colony in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The presence of these Japanese weapons in the KwaZulu-Natal Museum collection remains a captivating mystery, offering a glimpse into the interconnectedness of global historical narratives and the allure of cultural artefacts in unexpected locations.

1906 main One of the two Naginata in the KZN Museum collection a.) left and right views, b.) collar (habaki), c.) scabbard (saya) d.) bronze distal end (tsukekanamono), e.) proximal wrap (kaburamaki) and f.) butt cap (ishizuki).

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𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚 𝐆𝐫 𝟏𝟏 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 Epworth School 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬.

"My time at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum has been one filled with insight, and awe. This experience has left me with a newly found appreciation for all the work, people and care that goes into maintaining this exquisite museum. The carefully curated, well-maintained and ever intriguing displays never disappoint or lack. The noteworthy and admirable quality of the KZN’s museum is its diverse, inclusive and all-encompassing exhibitions. From Indian sport to the Victorian Era (my personal favourite) to insects, there is something to spark anyone’s interest.

My take away from this experience is that all of the above would not be possible without the work and dedication of the ever friendly staff, professionals and specialists that make up the “hands and feet” of the museum. I spent the majority of my time at the museum with Ms Senamile Hadebe.

Ms Hadebe alongside Viranna Frank pulled away the curtain to show the true extent of work that goes into ensuring the museum remains as impeccable as it is. I also had the pleasure of meeting Dr Igor Muratov, who is a specialist of terrestrial molluscs. It was fascinating not only learning about the research and extensive collection of molluscs, but also the passion that specialists like (ego) have towards their fields of research.

It is people like Ms Hadebe, Mrs Frank and Dr Muratov and the many others that make something as spectacular as the museum possible. As a young person, it is inspiring and insightful to experience the power of cohesion and cooperation in a workplace.

I am so grateful for my experience and highly recommend visiting the KZN Museum!"

WhatsApp Image 2024 08 14 at 07.53.58 8c286def

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Read all about our July 2024 happenings in our latest newsletter

Mandela Day

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120 Years in 120 Objects

Today’s Object is from 1905

The lost whale skeleton by Heather Frost, Senior Exhibitions Officer

Opening Times