American Samoa (not certain), Samoa (not certain) / United States (not certain), Polynesia
Accession Date:
1858
Collection Date:
1838 to 1842
Notes:
FINELY WOVEN, CHECKER PLAITED, PANDANUS MAT WITH FRINGE AT TWO SIDES. RED AND YELLOW FEATHERS ARE KNOTTED TO A SINGLE STRAND OF VEGETABLE FIBER AND ATTACHED TO THE FRINGE PORTION OF THE MAT. THE FRINGE IS APPROXIMATELY 5 CM. LONG. HAS ORIGINAL PEALE TAG. THIS MAT HAS BEEN CONSERVED AT SOME TIME DURING THE 1970'S, IT IS IN GOOD CONDITION.
Peale catalogue identifies # 975 - 986 as ""Ie tana" [probably should be taua]. or fine mat made of a kind of rush like the papyrus, and worn by the Samoan women on festivals. They are valued highly - costing much time and labor to make them." The more current general term for the fine mat is 'ie toga.
