Hat Item Number: 3489/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Woven conical hat with tiered, rod brim. Top rods are naturally coloured, bottom rod has painted red and black sections. Material above painted sections, binding rods together, are also black and red. Naturally coloured loop, along side of brim, for hanging purposes. Hat is done in three sections with vertical bands of geometric patterns in their centres. Section backgrounds are naturally covered. Bands are made of decorated diagonal rows, of varying widths. Designs alternate between joined rectangles, plain lines and joined squares. Designs are painted black and red in vertical stripes. Sections are bordered by rods, covered in coils of red plant fibre. Coiled materials extend upward, over tip of hat, and create a three-arched loop. Tip of hat is red and black with red geometric motifs throughout.
Acquired by the donor in 1976-1978, when he lived and worked in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, as a volunteer with CUSO International.