Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0477-0021   CAS 0477-0021; Mat
Category Textiles
Object Name Mat
Culture Micronesian: Marshallese
Global Region Oceania
Country Marshall Islands
State/Prov./Dist. Majuro Atoll
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Majuro; Namdrik Atoll
Maker's Name Matlina Swain (died ca. 2009)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1977
Collection Name N/A
Materials Pandanus leaves, Dyed hibiscus fibers; Cotton (/) thread
Description Nearly square mat woven of narrow strips of pandanus and dyed hibiscus fibers and primarily in simple (1/1) plaiting technique, with variations of the plaiting sequence in the design bands; Center area of mat is plain and woven entirely of natural colored pandanus leaves; Interior decorative double-faced border (designs are same on both faces, but colors are reverse) frames all four edges of mat and is woven of natural colored pandanus leaves and dyed reddish brown hibiscus fibers; Outer border is woven entirely of natural colored pandanus leaves, partially overlaid with dyed black hibiscus fibers that form the design; Juncture between inner and outer borders is overlaid with narrow band on both faces woven of natural colored pandanus leaves, partially overlaid with dyed purple hibiscus fibers that form the design, the entire bands then sewn to the underlying mat with white thread.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 52.5, Length = 53.0