Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
Accession Date:
7 Nov 2019
Collection Date:
4 Jun 2012
Notes:
Bilum (bag) made of acrylic yarn. Square shape, horizontal bands of mottled black and white, alternating with red, orange, and white stripes Single handle. Fringe along the side. Donor notes: Maker unknown. Gift to donor from Elijah John. A large bilum worked in white, black, red, and orange. The “boss” color of the bilum is created by plying black and white threads together, worked in six tiers of two rows each. The effect simulates that obtained by using marsupial fur. Tiers of mixed black and white yarn are separated by rows of black, yellow, red, and white fastening stitches. One side is joined outside the bilum, creating a fringe of loose threads. The handle is worked as a single flat piece striped in all five colors used in the body of the bilum.
