Description (CMS Description)
Fine old flat bag-shaped basket, built up of triangular patches of fine black triple twining, the courses twisted alternatively right and left. The patches are separated by lines of white beads (shell) with a few black ones. Not lined.
Event Date 1/6/1995
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
Collected by the Rev. Lyth, active c.1840, and said by him to come from Fiji.
Event Date 1/6/1995
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
A small round label with a metallic rim reads [handwritten in black ink:] '57.D.4'. A large cream labels attached to the bag reads [printed:] 'Country', [handwritten in brown ink and crossed off:] 'Fiji Islands', [printed:] Description', [handwritten in brown ink:] 'Ancient Basket', [printed:] 'No.', [handwritten in brown ink:] '10', [printed:] 'Lent by', [handwritten in brown ink:] 'Lyth 84 Monkgate, York'. The other side of the label reads [handwritten in black ink:] 'Peter Gathercole says this is from Tonga'. and [handwritten in brown ink:] 'L. Y.' A rectangular blue label with cut corners pasted to the bag reads [handwritten in brown ink:] 'Ancient Fijian basket'.
Event Date 1/7/2013
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (CMS Description)
Large bag. Round bottom but has been flattened and folded leaving a wide crease in the centre. The bottom of the bag has been folded in two in the centre and pushed back inside the bag. The surface is very tightly and finely woven with coconut fibre into very small chevrons. The weave is divided in to triangles, some dyed black, other dyed red. The edges of the triangles are decorated with small cylindrical shell beads (originally white, now turned light brown) and occasional coconut shell beads. At the top, the bag is provided with a thick edge, having been decorated with a diagonal coil of fine 3-ply plaited coir. An additional cord of 3-ply plaited coir is attached to both sides of the bag at the top and knotted in the centre of. Some stains (lighter colour). The edges of the bag are damaged and part of the bottom is ripped. FRAGILE.
Event Date 1/7/2013
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
Exhibited: 'Chiefs & Governors: Art and power in Fiji', Cambridge MAA, 7 June 2013 - 19 April 2014.
Event Date 25/4/2014
Author: Remke van der Velden

Conservation ()
CON.2013.24 |
Event Date 1/3/2016
Author: maa

Context (Analysis)
Ancient Futures research group (2018): 'This is definitely a Tongan object stylistically, but if it was indeed collected in Fiji as noted elsewhere, it was definitely manufactured by Tongans (or someone au fait with Tongan designs).'
Event Date 9/10/2018
Author: Remke Velden

Research Visit (Anthropology Photographs)
RES.2018.2512 | Ancient Futures Project. The Ancient Futures Research Team comprises of Tongan Artists and specialists in Tongan history, material culture and museum collections. Researching a variety of Tongan objects, including barkcloth and clubs.
Event Date 9/10/2018
Author: Remke Velden

Description (Physical description)
Ancient Futures research group (2018): 'Dr Andy Mills notes this is a bucket covering. The darkest chevrons would've been dyed with iron oxide prior to manufacture. The dark colour of the overall pieces suggest the object was subsequently smoked, or stored in a location exposed to smoke over a long period of time.'
Event Date 9/10/2018
Author: Remke Velden