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PROCEEDINGS OE THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



VOL. XXXV. 



are doubled, just as they are in the basketwork of our southern 

 Indians. In such baskets, for pretty effects, the Malaysian women, 

 at the proper intervals fold back the active pandanus strips like a 

 coat collar. In some examples of the mad weave (Plate XII) the pat- 

 terns are quite intricate. (See Giirlworh and Twistwork.) 



Foot. — The part of a basket for resting on the ground. The foot 

 may be, as in the baskets of commerce, a part of the body technic or 

 something quite different. In the latter case it is usually hoopwork, 

 angular or rounded. It is really interesting to note how the makers 

 have struggled with this problem of footings. They are in rattan, 

 bamboo, or hardwood. The rattan stem is soft inside and tough as 



leather on the out- 

 side. You have 

 merely to cut out a 

 miter and bend the 

 stem at the proper 

 place and the thing- 

 is done. ( See Plates 

 I, II.) 



Form. — This has 

 reference to the 

 outer shape of the 

 finished basket or 

 other product of 

 basketwork. The 

 clear and ready 

 comprehension of 

 the reader is the 

 safest guide for 

 giving names to 

 forms in basketry. 

 The Malaysian 

 women excel in 

 both the practical and ornamental forms of their baskets. Economy 

 has been worked out especially in the shapes of the burden baskets. 



Framework. — Malaysian baskets are often made of such thin ma- 

 terials that additional support has to be given by framework. This 

 consists of foot, uprights, and borderwork. which will be separately 

 described. An interesting fact in the study of the division of labor 

 is that the soft, textile parts of the basket are said to be made by 

 Avomen; the framework falls to the men. 



Plate VI shows a basket from the Dyaks, West Borneo, which may 

 be called a perfect specimen (Cat. Xo. 249407, U.S.X.M.) of Malay- 

 sian basket, on account of the framework and its relations with other 

 parts. If it were removed it is doubtful whether the basket would 



Fig. 17. — Methods of forming handles. 



