Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 2013-0006-0076   CAS 2013-0006-0076; Mat
Category Textiles
Object Name Mat
Culture Micronesian: Chuukese
Global Region Oceania
Country Federated States of Micronesia
State/Prov./Dist. Chuuk (Truk)
County
Other Geographic Data Atoll: Lekinioch, Mortlocks region, Caroline Islands
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1965
Collection Name Richmond Collection (Chuuk Islands)
Materials Pandanus leaves: Dye from carbon paper
Description Sleeping mat woven entirely of natural and dyed pandanus leaves in an under one / over one plaiting technique; Both warps and wefts run diagonally, turning at the ends and sides to form self selvages; Some of the fiber ends are twisted along the ends and braided to form an additional reinforcing band, which also continues along the sides, several cm in from the edges; Secondary weft fibers are dyed purple and woven in an overlay pattern to form multiple concentric borders, including straight and rectilinear borders and a wide border comprising composite squares framing all four edges of the mat; Center area of mat is plain, as is the reverse face; According to donor, the purple dye was derived from office carbon paper, and quality and style of this mat are both typical of the weaving from the Mortlocks Region.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 111.2, Length = ca. 202.0