Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2016-0005-0019   CAS 2016-0005-0019; Handbag
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Basketry
Object Name Handbag
Culture Micronesian: Chuukese
Global Region Oceania
Country Federated States of Micronesia
State/Prov./Dist. Chuuk (Truk)
County
Other Geographic Data Caroline Islands
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1986
Collection Name N/A
Materials Plant fiber; Cowrie (Cypraeidae) shells; Sea turtle shell (tortoiseshell)
Description Boxy rectangular handbag composed of woven plant fiber with a hinged lid and handle of two woven straps, each attached at both ends to a longer side of the bag; Lid is secured with nothing save its own weight; All six sides of the bag have a rectangular section of turtle shell in the center surrounded by rows of cowrie shells; The longer sides of the bag have cowrie shells above and on both sides of the turtle shell; The shorter sides of the bag have cowrie shells above the turtle shell; The bottom side of the bag has cowrie shells on the two shorter sides; The top of the bag has a row of cowrie shells on all four sides of the turtle shell, with a double row on the shorter side.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 14.4, Width = 16.5, Length = 19.7