1956.12.28B

Collection type

Object

Description

Carrying basket with stiff back, twill technique with design of diamonds etc. in black & natural. Front in two halves, laced by cane-strip, in open work design. Plaited shoulder straps. [RM [OPS move] 14/11/2016]

Geographical reference

Malaysia

Asia > South-eastern Asia > Malaysia

Sarawak Rejang Rejang and Baram Rivers

Cultural groups

Penan

Person

Field collector Guy Arnold

Field collector Oxford University Expedition to Borneo

PRM source Guy Arnold

PRM source Oxford University Expedition to Borneo

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1956

Date collected

By 1956

Acquisition information

Purchased: 1956

Materials and processes

Material Cane Plant, Material Rattan Plant, Material Pigment, Process Twill, Process Plaited, Process Basketry, Process Dyed

Dimensions

Height: max 120 mm, Length: max 535 mm, Width: max 144 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1956.12.28B

Research and responses

See: 'A General Report on the Organization, Work and Results of the Oxford University Expedition to Sarawak. 1955 - 1956' (Balfour Library Pamphlets; 'Indonesia Borneo' Box) [CF 1/3/2001]

Examined in May 2007 by Rajindra Puri from the University of Kent who during conversation noted that the local name for this type of basket/ backpack is kivu, which traditionally and currently are made by men. The rattan strips are very fine and have been skillfully made, similarly the small loops are very fine work, which would have been time consuming. The basket is made from at least three different species of rattan, the brown colouring is from several different plants mixed with clay and boiled to produce dye. This style of pattern is not seen now, current examples are more likely to be open weave. [ZM 20/07/2007]

Search terms: Basketry, Transport and Travel, Basket, Carrying Device