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Culture
Melanesian
Creation date
1940 -1960
Materials
bark cloth
Dimensions
7 1/2 x 10 3/4 x 9 in.
Credit line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Accession number
1989.1458
Collection
Not Currently On View
Bark belts vary in width from two to twelve inches. Worn only by mature men, they are often decorated with geometric patterns or human figures. The designs are carefully cut with a sharp knife on the smooth scraped side of the bark. The belts, which also vary in length, are often wrapped two times around the body and closed with a shell button and fiber loop.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg, Indianapolis; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art (1989).
