2003.10.35

Collection type

Object

Description

Cosmetic basket, made out of date palm fronds, braided and stitched. Dyed purple, magenta and green. [RJ 28/1/2003]

Long description

A deep basket with dyed palm fronds woven into the braid for decoration. The rim of the basket is green, then there is a solid band of magenta, followed by a band of natural palm fronds. The last band on the body is decorated with horizontal arrows of mixed colours - magenta, purple and green. The base of the basket has a solid circle of magenta in the centre, but the rest is natural. [RJ 28/1/2003]

Geographical reference

Oman

Asia > Western Asia > Oman

Musandam Al Khasab

Cultural groups

Shehhi

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector Gigi Crocker Jones

PRM source Gigi Crocker Jones

Date / Period

Date made: Before 2003

Date collected

11 December 1985

Acquisition information

Donated: 2003

Materials and processes

Material Palm Leaf Plant, Process Braided, Process Stitched, Process Dyed, Process Basketry

Dimensions

Height: max 209 mm, Width: max 273 mm, Length: max 294 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 2003.10.35 Other numbers: Field collector's catalogue number: Basketry 63

Research and responses

Extract from 'Musandam: Architecture and Material Culture of a Little Known Region of Oman', by Paolo M. Costa, published by IMMEL publishing, London, 1991. Chapter on 'The Crafts' written by Gigi Crocker Jones, pg. 145-191. On cosmetic baskets, pg.168: 'This round basket was made in Khasab and used by women for keeping their cosmetics. In order to make the ridge around the basket perimeter the braider twists the left element in a circle towards her before braiding.' [RJ 17/1/2003]

More information on the braiding of date palm leaves - see record 2003.10.8 [RJ 17/1/2003]

Search terms: Basketry, Toilet, Body Art, Basket, Cosmetic Vessel, Body Art Accessory