Many of the sailors found the culture and customs a knockout

Expert Nicholas Thomas

Nicholas Thomas, professor of anthropology at Goldsmiths College in London, said the sailors who met these tribes were fascinated with their markings.

"The people on board those ships were very surprised and impressed by what they saw," he said.

"Many of the sailors found the culture and customs a knockout and expressed their enthusiasm by getting tattooed themselves."

Many cultures including the Maoris in New Zealand and North American tribes have used tattoos as valuable symbols.

Tattoos were all the rage among 19th-Century sailors

Each design, which sometimes took weeks to create, was unique and aimed to accentuate a person's facial features with dignity and strength.

During the 19th Century leading figures in society criticised the practice, associating it with the rough life of sailors, port towns and prostitutes.

However in 1882 King George V was given a large dragon tattoo on his arm on a visit to Japan.

In 1900, it was estimated that 90% of all sailors in the US Navy were tattooed, while the Second World War saw a surge in patriotic tattoos among servicemen.

In recent years tattoos have been very fashionable with many celebrities including Mel C from the Spice Girls, David Beckham and Robbie Williams sporting body art.

Robbie Williams is a big fan of body art

A spokesman for the museum said that the exhibition marks the history of tattoos in three sections.

He said: "The first will focus on the European encounters with tattooing in the Pacific.

"The second will examine the way in which tattooing became popular among merchant seamen and Royal Navy sailors and eventually with groups on the fringes of society.

"The final section will look at the tattoo as an increasingly acceptable fashion statement."

The exhibit runs until 30 September.