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Pitt Rivers Museum

1923.86.108

A sitting mat made of plaited basket work. There are four circular ceramic disks attached to the border of the mat.


1923.86.108

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
A sitting mat made of plaited basket work. There are four circular ceramic disks attached to the border of the mat.
Long description
A sitting mat made of plaited basket work. There are four circular ceramic disks attached to the border of the mat. It appears that other disks have since become detached and are now missing. Fragments of red and yellow textile are also attached to the border. [NC 13/07/2015]
Geographical reference
Sarawak
Cultural groups
Iban
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1923
Date collected
By 1923
Acquisition information
Donated: 1923
Materials and processes
Material Plant Fibre, Material Porcelain Pottery, Material Cane Plant, Process Basketry, Process Plaited, Process Stitched
Dimensions
Depth: max 10 mm, Width: max 287 mm, Length: max 425 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1923.86.108
Research and responses

According to Hose & McDougall ('The Pagan Tribes of Borneo' Vol. I, London: Macmillan & Co., 1912, p.43-44), a small mat is sometimes worn "hanging behind from a cord passed round the waist, and serving as a seat when the wearer sits down". [CF 1/3/2001]

This object was looked at by Hannah Parsons (MA student, University of East Anglia). The visit took place August 15 2015. [NC 15/07/2015]

Search terms: Furniture Dwelling, Basketry, Clothing, Mat