Loin cloth
Ndende or eastern Reef Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands
Woven banana tree bark fiber, pandanus leaf
Late 19th - early 20th century
106 by 9 inches (269.24 by 23 cm)
Ex private collection, Northern CA; ex Melanesian Mission

A very long, finely woven loin cloth worn on ceremonial occasions, such as the napa dance and nelanga nelo (dance of the nose ornament). This was worn folded up with the end hanging down in the front. Evidence of wear can be seen in this example through the faint patches of sweat which is visible at regularly occurring intervals along the length.

cf. Koch, G., Materielle Kultur der Santa Cruz-Inseln, Berlin: Museum fur Volkerkunde, 1971
#2527

$2000