The first impression of this exhibition is one of overwhelming chaos, not dissimilar to the initial overwhelming nature of the museum itself.

But like the museum, the objects, gleaned from different parts of the world and from different centuries, are systematically presented in five categories.

Local Traders concerns trade conducted between one location and another. Here we see, for example, gilded batik cloth from Java, imported as plain batik from neighbouring Bali and then enhanced locally to provide ceremonial cloth and clothing.

Traders and Trading Places is exemplified by the long-standing tourist destination of Darjeeling where curios like the extraordinary gilt solar-powered prayer wheel were collected. Made for Trade features special commissions such as the stonking great metal monitor lizards made in Birmingham specially for a Nigerian shrine, and the Kana Kwei coffins from Ghana, custom built for local use or created as commissions.

This was the case with the coffin on show: it celebrates the life and trade of a shopkeeper. Its formal rectangular shape has a hint of shop and counter about it, and it is meticulously decorated with advertisements for Omo, Milo, Blue Band, Quaker Oats and other brands. It is accompanied by an informative video on the factory, its customers and the range of coffins on offer.

Tourist Goods offers items that have a portability designed to attract holiday money.

Currency and Exchange Value features a fascinating range of faux currency, including a wide range of beads mounted on display cards, ready for barter. Illustrated above is the coat made by the Ainu people of Japan who have used European trade cloth in its manufacture rather than the traditional elm bark fibres.

Open 10-4.30 Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays; 12-4.30 Monday, until 27 January 2013. .