From the Curiosity Cabinet to the Political Masterpiece: The Swiss Henri Moser’s (1844 – 1923) evolution in displaying the “Orient”
Funded by Ruth & Arthur Scherbarth Stiftung
Project duration: 1 January - 31 December 2013
Head of research: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dittelbach
Research Assistant: M.A. Ágnes Sebestyén
The Swiss Henri Moser (1844–1923), son of a well-known industrial pioneer from Schaffhausen, undertook four risky expeditions to Central Asia (1868/69, 1870, 1883/84, 1888/89), that established him as a writer of travel journals as well as an expert on the economics and culture of the “Orient”, or Islamic world. His overall success as “savant explorateur“ gave him the self-confidence to acquire new pieces at Central-Asian bazaars and at auctions at London and Paris to add to his collection of objects which he had received mainly as gifts from local sovereigns during his journeys. When his efforts resulted in a collection of several thousand pieces, he decided to present them to the European public in a series of exhibitions throughout Switzerland, Germany and France.
His foremost priority was to emphasize the collection’s economic relevance for the European industry and commerce. He pointed out the possibilities that could result from cross-cultural exchange by means of lectures and scientific publications. His “Oriental” collection and exhibitions, served as a medium for the propagation of these ideals.
The main goal of the present research project is to determine which principles Moser followed building his oriental collection, whether his books, lectures and exhibitions managed to reinterpret the contemporary clichés in displaying the Islamic world, if they made a claim to scientific authority and accuracy. We will also attempt an analysis of the reception of his activities by the public. In order to answer these questions a thorough analysis of primary archive documents will be necessary, a considerable percentage of which belong to the collection of the Historical Museum of Bern as part of Moser’s legacy.
