Basket, kato alu, of root, coconut fibre, and shell, from Tonga; part of the Forster collection (Forster 88; 1886.1.1328)

Basket, kato alu, made from the aerial root of the alu (Epipremnum pinnatum). The alu is dyed black, and wound around a spiral coil of coconut leaf mid-ribs. The basket is decorated on the outside with braided coconut fibre. The base on the outside of the basket is also decorated with braided coconut fibre crescents

• Plant Fibre Identification Report.
• Museum database entry.