Mat, of pandanus, from Tonga; part of the Forster collection (Forster 58; 1886.1.1172)

A mat made from plaited strips of pandanus leaf. The strips are approximately 2-3 mm wide. At each end of the mat a fringe made from folded triangles of pandanus leaf has been sewn on, the stitching also serving to secure the ends of the leaf strips that make up the mat. The mat measures approximately 2230 mm long (including the fringe) and 1830 mm wide. There is orange staining on the mat; this has the appearance of a coloured oil rather than a pigment.

• Museum database entry.