Description (CMS Description)
Full-length drawers or leggings made of heavy plaited coconut fibre.
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: Remke Velden

Context (Display)
Exhibited in the Spotlight gallery, MAA, in 'The Island Warrior: Coconut Fibre Armour from Kiribati', April 4th– September 25th 2017.
Event Date 04/04/2017
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
Register entry noted ' Complete suit of armour (O.XXV.II.3M) Gilbert Islands, Maudslay Coll.'

The original description for Z 7034 prior to splitting out this record read: ‘Complete suit of armour consisting of tight fitting overall made of heavy coconut fibre plaited. This covers the entire person except the feet and hands and the head, including full-length sleeves and drawers. Over this is worn a corselet of more strongly plaited fibre, the back being carried up above the head as a protection from the rear. A helmet of the same material completes the protective covering which leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed, the back of the neck being protected by the high back shield.’

After investigation the ambiguous wording should be interpreted as follows:
‘[…]tight fitting overall made of heavy coconut fibre plaited. This covers the entire person except the feet and hands and the head, including full-length sleeves and drawers.’ The overall is the composite object of the sleeves and drawers and the sleeves have been numbered Z 7034.2. The drawers have been numbered Z 7034.3. Both pieces were found inside the cuirass described here as ‘a corselet of more strongly plaited fibre, the back being carried up above the head as a protection from the rear.’ This cuirass was originally labelled Z 7034, and is now numbered Z 7034.1.

The ‘helmet of the same material’ is unaccounted for. MAA’s records only reveal one coconut fibre helmet, E 1904.427. It is a possibility that this object was also given a Z number at some stage, but this is pure speculation as no marking to that effect was found on object E 1904.427.

Furthermore, the entry in the accession register for Z 7034 does not explicitly list a helmet but merely states: ‘Complete suit of Armour (O.XXVII.3.M)’.

Event Date 26/1/2017
Author: Remke Velden

Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2018.4173 | Assessment Only
Event Date 23/7/2018
Author: Christina Rozeik

Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2016.2144 | Remedial
Event Date 2/8/2018
Author: Christina Rozeik

Loan (Exhibition)
Royal Academy of Arts, 14/09/2018 to 09/12/2018, Oceania
Event Date 14/9/2018
Author: Rachel Hand

Loan (Exhibition)
Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris , 11/03/2019 to 07/07/2019, Oceanie
Event Date 11/3/2019
Author: rachel hand

Loan (Exhibition)
Horniman Museum and Gardens, London, 4/12/2021 to 20/6/2022, Hair: Untold Stories
Event Date 4/12/2021
Author: rachel hand

Loan (Exhibition)
Tullie House Museum, Carlisle , 22/09/2022 to 07/06/2023, Hair: Untold Stories
Event Date 22/9/2022
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Full length overall or leggings made to be worn under the cuirass. Made of plaited coconut fibre, with legs, body and shoulder straps. A loop of plaited fibre is attached at the top of the body on the front and back; a length of plaited fibre that connects the two shoulder straps is now broken. Small holes in sides and chest, possibly from wear or battle wounds.
Event Date 8/9/2022
Author: Emily Shorter