Basket, of coconut fibre and shell, from Tonga; part of the Forster collection (Forster 89; 1886.1.1330)

Basket made from the coconut fibres obtained from the separated fibres of the coconut husk, leaf sheath or roots (kaka). Single strands of this fibre are twined in double pairs over a framework of thicker coconut fibre to form a flat basket. Dyed and undyed coconut fibres are used to create a geometric design, separated by shell and coconut shell beads. The top rim of the basket is made from a central core of plant material, covered with a binding of plaited coconut fibre cord

• Museum database entry.