1960.3.24

Collection type

Object

Description

Finely plaited armlet of dark brown plant fibre, with a variety of twill patterns. [LM 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 14/12/2005]

Geographical reference

Papua New Guinea

Oceania > Melanesia > Papua New Guinea

Massim D'Entrecasteaux Islands Dobu Island

Person

Field collector G.H. Bardsley

PRM source Olive Bytheway

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1889-1890

Date collected

1889-1890

Acquisition information

Donated: 1960

Materials and processes

Material Plant Fibre, Process Twill, Process Basketry

Dimensions

Diameter: max 60 mm, Width: max 90 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1960.3.24

Research and responses

Related Documents File - Letters from Mrs. Bytheway to Blackwood. The first is dated 11 December 1952: '... A few weeks ago I had a session with Mother re the New Guinea curios. here's a list - not as big as I thought. Let me know what you think of it. [List of 22 objects] There used to be many more - but they have been distributed over the years. I think the Q[ueens]land Museum had a number of things. ...' The second letter is dated 15 August 1959: '... Now, after many talks about it, I have had word that the box of curios is finally on its way to the Museum - I do not know if it will be of value to you - but felt I must, at least try... If they are of no value to you, then destroy them - as they would be of no value to any one else - I only wish I could have sent you the complete collection which Father brought down in 1890 - he lectured and showed lantern slides through N. S[outh] Wales and Q[ueens]land after returning from the mission at Dobu (Trobriand Is.) and, as a child, I well remember church halls being transformed by all of his curios, to show in aid of a Fete, perhaps. I think most of the articles were sent to the Q[ueens]land Museum years ago, but feel I'd like to make sure that none were wasted if they could be of use. He was G. H. Bardsley - and as a young man, in 1889, joined the first Wesleyan Mission as carpenter & lay preacher at Doba (with Rev. W.E. Bromilow and S.B. Fellows). ... I do hope there will be something of real value to the Museum in the small collection. ...' [MOB 19/2/2002]

According to Margaret Reeson in 'Pacific Missionary George Brown 1835-1917: Wesleyan Methodist Church', page 309, Reverend Samuel B. Fellows was a Missionary in British New Guinea and by 1913 was a Minister in Western Australia. Reverend William Bromilow led the mission to British New Guinea from 1891. (page 209). [MJD (Verve) 24/08/2015]

Search terms: Ornament, Basketry, Arm Ornament