Oceania, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A rare example of an ihrik, a plaitwork currency coil cord formed from a core of coconut sennet fibers bound with tightly braided palm leaf strips. The black and white braid work is incredibly precise with nearly even spacing between each dark and light ringlet, and one end terminates in a bulbous knot. Size (wrapped): 3.5" W x 3.375" H (8.9 cm x 8.6 cm); 3.875" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand; (unwrapped): 51" L (129.5 cm)
According to ethnographic currency expert Charles Opitz, "Plaitwork of black and white palm leaf strips woven over a base of twisted coconut fiber cord were made by the natives. The coils were used as money and also worn as a girdle. The same technique of cylindrical plaitwork in short, stiffer lengths and in gaudier colors is used in the Solomons for ear-sticks." (Opitz, Charles J. "An Ethnographic Study of Traditional Money: A Definition of Money and Descriptions of Traditional Money." First Impressions Printing, Inc., Florida, 2000, p. 161)
For two examples and an illustration of ihrik cords, please see Opitz, Charles J. "An Ethnographic Study of Traditional Money: A Definition of Money and Descriptions of Traditional Money." First Impressions Printing, Inc., Florida, 2000, p. 161, bottom two plates.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Norman Hurst collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, acquired before 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#154532
Condition
Measured as a bundle as it is wrapped on one side and attached to stand. Knotted at one end and fraying to both ends, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains of color throughout.