Three Woven Ear Sticks
East Kwaio area, Malaita, Solomon Islands, d. late 19th/early 20th c.
Plaited red cane and orchid fiber over base of cane or bamboo stick, cotton thread
7.75” h, 8.25” h, 8” h (18.42, 19.69, 20.32 cm)
Price: $750
Colorful and finely woven elements of personal adornment. According to Neich and Pereira (2004: 103, ill.), “[w]omen of the East Kwaio hill people of Malaita construct these finely detailed ear ornaments by plaiting very narrow strips of coloured plant materials over a base of a cane or bamboo stick. The yellow is vascular tissue of orchid vine and the red is waxy tissue of coconut palm dyed red with an extract of Morinda root. Some sticks are also ornamented with glass trade-beads and red wool. These reached the coastal people of Malaita as trade items from the inland hill dwellers and were worn by men through their perforated earlobes.”
