Mat- Waist Garment
Production date
1950s
Country
Solomon Islands
State/Province
Malaita
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Object detail
Description
Woven mat with lattice work pattern and grass fringe at either end
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander waist ornament
Maker
Production date
1950s
Production place
Measurements
L750 x W190 x H5 mm
Media/Materials description
Plant fibre
Signature/Marks
2 birth \ mats.\ Sikaiana. For tying around \ the waist after childbirth to \ regain shape. \ 1950s.\ Attached with string. Custom for every \ woman to wear \ one. Some wore for quite \ a long time- \ others not too long. \ One for large female. \ Decorated one may have \ been for the first baby
Polynesian weaving \ from SIKAIANA
Polynesian weaving \ from SIKAIANA
History and use
This object is from the Helen Barrett collection, which was donated to Queensland Museum in 2014. Miss Helen Barrett worked as a nurse with the Australian Board of Mission in Solomon Islands from 1947 until 1984. Barrett was based at Tasia in Isabel Province, and Maravovo on Guadalcanal before being stationed at the Hospital of the Epiphany at Fauabu, Malaita from 1968 until 1984. In the 1990s, Barrett worked with the Mothers Union in the Torres Strait Islands. Her collection largely comprises of objects that were presented as gifts over the course of her missionary work in Melanesia.
This mat is from Sikaiana, a Polynesian outlier of the Solomon Islands. Such mats were used by new mothers, who would wrap them around their middle in order to regain their figure after giving birth.
This mat is from Sikaiana, a Polynesian outlier of the Solomon Islands. Such mats were used by new mothers, who would wrap them around their middle in order to regain their figure after giving birth.
Registration number
E40674
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