The Grainger Museum at the University of Melbourne is a heritage-listed, internationally recognised museum documenting the life and work of composer Percy Grainger, with collections spanning music, sound technology, instruments, ethnography, art and design. The collection and archive support teaching, research and collaboration with researcher access by appointment.
Collection highlights
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Percy Grainger, c.1902 oil on canvas, 99.2 x 83.6 cm
Rupert Charles Wulsten Bunny (1864-1947) -
Professor George W.L. Marshall-Hall, 1900 Oil on canvas; 53.5 x 43.8cm
Tom Roberts (1856–1931) -
Nellie Armstrong (Madam Melba) with fan, n.d.
Vandyck Studios, Melbourne. A page from Rose Grainger's photo album. Percy Grainger's father, John, was a regular visitor to the Mitchell household in Richmond when Nellie was a young woman and Melba took an ongoing interest in Percy and his career. -
Mde May Hammond, couturier, Belgrave. Silk, tulle and velvet beaded evening gown belonging to Rose Grainger, 1906.
Percy Grainger preserved most of his mother's extensive wardrobe following her death in 1922. This significant collection, which includes gowns by Chanel and Worth, provides insight into fashion trends of the upper-middle class during the Edwardian era. -
Towelling clothes made by Percy and Ella Grainger c1934.
The inspiration for these outfits was Maori and South Sea Island clothes and fabrics seen in museums and historical Saxon and Scandinavian clothing. Grainger also liked their functionality, being 'cool in summer, warm in the winter, and washable at all times'. -
Fob watch and chain. Lange & Sohne, Glashütte
Originally belonging to Edvard Grieg this watch was given to Percy Grainger by Nina Grieg in 1907 with a note which reads: 'Take it, keep it and never forget him!'. -
Tea caddy and set of four spoons, early 20th century. Lebolt, Chicago. Hand wrought silver
Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic Period designs are prominent within the decorative arts collection which includes copper utensils, vessels and lamps made by the New York metal smiths Jos Heinrichs and silverware by Lebolt from Chicago. -
Meissen monkey orchestra (Affencapelle), 1863-1900, porcelain, glazes, gold lustre
As well as Meissen pieces, the porcelain and ceramics in the collection includes items by Royal Copenhagen, Royal Doulton, Willow Pattern (various makers), Japanese porcelain (Meiji period), Mamluk and Ottoman pottery and painted tiles by Ella Grainger. -
Cyril Scott, 1912
Unknown photographer. Grainger was a loyal friend to the composers he met whilst studying in Frankfurt and championed their work at every opportunity. -
Heavy laden : Japanese girl with child
Mortimer Menpes (1855-1938). One of the artist's favourite images, this work exists as a lithograph, a colour etching and drypoint, a three colour half-tone print and a monochrome drypoint. -
Wax cylinders. Edison Company, United States
400 recordings of English, Danish, Rarotongan (Cook Islands) and Maori folk singers are held in the collection. -
Percussion mallets on cardboard with notes detailing their provenance or significance. Made by Percy Grainger as a Museum display
Instruments in the collection include harmoniums, marimbas, xylophones, tuned glasses ('glassophone'), guitars, ukuleles, clarinets, oboes, slide whistles, sarrusophones, saxophone, and trombones. -
Organ chimes No 5504, n.d. (1900-1920). Nickel-plated steel, wood
J.C. Deagan Inc., Chicago -
John Singer Sargent, 1924
Henry Havelock Pierce (1864–1943), Boston. Society painter John Singer Sargent Sargent was an influential figure during the early stages of his career. one of Grainger's self proclaimed 'angels and shield-bearers'. -
Rose Grainger (age 59) wearing Indian necklace bought at Albuquerque, N. M., early May 1920
Koehne, Chicago. -
Ella Ström, 1919 Oil on canvas; 89.9 x 69.4 cm
Arnold Henry Mason (1885 - 1963)
Upcoming Events
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2026 Grainger Symposium: Percy Grainger's 'Legends'
2 December 2026 - 3 December 2026
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Penelope Thwaites AM - The More, the Merrier
3 February 2027, 6pm-7pm
Plan your visit
Research
Search and request material that can be viewed in the Research Room, explore Research Residencies and further resources
For researchers
Learn
Explore the Grainger Museum’s tertiary program, utilising the Museum’s exhibitions and permanent collection to spark new inquiry and creative work, across the disciplines.
For students
About Percy Grainger
Learn more about Percy Grainger, the composer and inventor at the heart of the Grainger Museum.
Who was Percy Grainger
About the Grainger Museum
Discover the history and origin of this unique autobiographical Museum.
Find out more about the museum