Skirt

MOA: University of British Columbia

2948/14

Grass skirt consisting of long ruddy-brown blades of sago leaf attached to a broad, woven waistband of 5 rows and 24 columns, alternating between yellow-brown and dark brown fibres with remnants of red ochre. Four long tassels of tight braids drape from the top of the belt; two with cockatoo feathers at the ends. An undulating double row of coix seeds and a several yellow, blue and green plastic beads are threaded with fine, bright green nylon twine over the top of the belt. The waistband ends are broad loops; the right end has a long, broad, loosely woven braid of tight braids of sago leaf.


  • Type of Item skirt
  • Culture Asmat
  • Material sago fibre, plant fibre, seed, feather, plastic, dye, ochre pigment
  • Measurements height 59.5 cm, width 41.0 cm, depth 10.0 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Lorne Balshine
  • Received from Lorne Balshine

  • Made in Papua

  • Collection Date during 1980
  • Ownership Date before April 11, 2012
  • Acquisition Date on April 11, 2012

  • Condition fair
  • Accession Number 2948/0014