Marshall Islands, Micronesia
19th century
Pandanus fiber, hair fringe
Length: 41 inches (104.1 cm); Width: 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Provenance: Adam Prout, London; Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani; Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland
Woven belts of this type were produced in the Marshall Islands within a tradition of women's fiber arts that placed high value on technical precision and the quality of pandanus preparation. This example is woven in a plain weave of natural pandanus fiber that has retained its warm golden tone, the weave tight and even across the full length, with hair fringe terminating each end. Belts of this form were worn as body ornaments and carried meaning related to the wearer's status and identity within Marshall Islands communities.
The provenance of this belt passes through three documented collections including that of Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani, whose holdings of Oceanic and ethnographic material were among the most significant assembled in private hands in the early 21st century. The belt's condition is strong for a pandanus fiber textile of this age, with the weave intact, the surface color well preserved, and both hair fringe terminals present.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Marshall Islands, Micronesia
19th century
Pandanus fiber, hair fringe
Length: 41 inches (104.1 cm); Width: 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Provenance: Adam Prout, London; Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani; Udo Horstmann, Zug, Switzerland
Woven belts of this type were produced in the Marshall Islands within a tradition of women's fiber arts that placed high value on technical precision and the quality of pandanus preparation. This example is woven in a plain weave of natural pandanus fiber that has retained its warm golden tone, the weave tight and even across the full length, with hair fringe terminating each end. Belts of this form were worn as body ornaments and carried meaning related to the wearer's status and identity within Marshall Islands communities.
The provenance of this belt passes through three documented collections including that of Sheik Saud Bin Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Thani, whose holdings of Oceanic and ethnographic material were among the most significant assembled in private hands in the early 21st century. The belt's condition is strong for a pandanus fiber textile of this age, with the weave intact, the surface color well preserved, and both hair fringe terminals present.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
