Waist mat or overskirt, kie fau, of bark fibre, from Tonga; part of the Forster collection (Forster 56; 1886.1.1178)

Waist mat or overskirt, kie fau, plaited from strips of the inner bark of the purau (Thespasia populnea) in such a way as to create a pattern of rectangular holes. A fringe of decoratively plaited tabs of the same material has been sewn on with olonga fibre (Pipturus argenteus). Worn by chiefs

• Museum database entry.