Description:

Micronesia, Caroline Islands, ca. 19th century CE. An incredibly preserved, gorgeous woman's belt made to show her status as a married woman. The belt consists of alternating tiny black/dark brown and white shell disc beads, strung together in horizontal bands to form a larger decorative program around a central stripe with checkered upper and lower portions. The beads are held in place by a backing of woven sennit, coconut fiber, with all the woven sennit coming together into ties on either end so that the belt could be worn. Displayed on a custom stand that fully demonstrates this belt's unique beauty. Size: 33" W x 1.8" H (83.8 cm x 4.6 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand. Size does not include ties on ends.

See a similar belt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1983.545.15).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-E. Mickler collection, France, 2007

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#154535

  • Condition: Absolutely beautiful condition. There may be a very few beads missing. Great patina on all surfaces.

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August 20, 2020 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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