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1977.16.1

Barkcloth, used in Fiji for ceremonial presentations, black and brown painted designs which seem to resemble medals.

1977.16.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Barkcloth, used in Fiji for ceremonial presentations, black and brown painted designs which seem to resemble medals.
Geographical reference
Fiji
Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji
Tonga
Oceania > Polynesia > Tonga
Person
Field collector Arthur Charles Cosmo Parkinson
PRM source Philip Rogers
PRM source Heather Mavis Rogers
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1942
Date collected
1942
Acquisition information
Donated: 1977
Materials and processes
Material Pigment, Material Bark Cloth Textile Plant, Process Painted, Process Beaten
Dimensions
Length 2050 mm, Width 2220 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1977.16.1
Research and responses

Examined during a research visit in April 2007 by Wendy Arbeit who noted that this is probably a one-off design, which is often the case for barkcloths made specially for presentation. The design includes some text written in Tongan, one phrase 'Koe Lou Maile' meaning 'this is the leaf of the Maile' (maile being a plant with a fragrant leaf). Underneath this phrase leaves of the maile are painted. [ZM 25/4/2007]

Search terms: Barkcloth, Ritual and Ceremonial, Status