Marshall Islands, Micronesia
19th century
Pandanus fiber, hair fringe
Length: 31 inches (78.7 cm); Width: 2⅛ inches (5.4 cm)
Provenance: Adam Prout, London; Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani; Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland
This belt is woven in a striped pattern of natural and dyed pandanus fiber that produces a horizontal banding across the full length, distinguishing it from the plain weave examples also in this collection. The weave is tight and even, the fiber well prepared, and both ends terminate in coiled hair finials that are intact and retain their form. Belts of this type were worn by women in the Marshall Islands as body ornaments and indicators of social position within the community.
The provenance passes through three documented collections, including that of Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani, whose holdings of Oceanic ethnographic material were among the most significant assembled in private hands in the early 21st century. At 31 inches in length the belt is slightly shorter than related examples, and its striped surface pattern and coiled hair terminals are well preserved for a pandanus fiber textile of this age.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Marshall Islands, Micronesia
19th century
Pandanus fiber, hair fringe
Length: 31 inches (78.7 cm); Width: 2⅛ inches (5.4 cm)
Provenance: Adam Prout, London; Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani; Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland
This belt is woven in a striped pattern of natural and dyed pandanus fiber that produces a horizontal banding across the full length, distinguishing it from the plain weave examples also in this collection. The weave is tight and even, the fiber well prepared, and both ends terminate in coiled hair finials that are intact and retain their form. Belts of this type were worn by women in the Marshall Islands as body ornaments and indicators of social position within the community.
The provenance passes through three documented collections, including that of Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani, whose holdings of Oceanic ethnographic material were among the most significant assembled in private hands in the early 21st century. At 31 inches in length the belt is slightly shorter than related examples, and its striped surface pattern and coiled hair terminals are well preserved for a pandanus fiber textile of this age.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
