A Bundle of Four Pacific Solomon Islands Armbands and another of finely woven red, yellow and black fibres (1800 to 1900 Solomon Islands)

Dyed Fibre

Worn as decoration on the upper arm by both men and women, these armbands are made from the woven yellow vascular tissue and black fibres of the orchid vine, and the waxy tissue of the coconut palm, which is dyed red with an extract of Morinda root, on the island of Malaita. Armbands were also used as currency and often traded among the different communities of the Solomon Islands. These four armbands tied and bundled together represented a form of wealth.

A Bundle of Four Pacific Solomon Islands Armbands and another of finely woven red, yellow and black fibres
Made by the women of the last Kwaio Hill people of Malaita Island
19th Century

Sizes: a: 10cm dia., 1.5cm deep – 4 ins dia., ½ ins deep
b: 8cm dia., 2cm deep – 3 ins dia., ¾ ins deep (single)