VOCABULARY OF MALAYSIAN BASKETWORK: A 

 STUDY IX THE W. L. ABBOTT COLLECTIONS. 



By Otis T. Mason, 

 Ih'dd Curator, Department of Anthropology, U. 8. National Museum. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This vocabulary is the result of studies in large collections of bas- 

 ketwork from the Andamans and Nicobars, the Peninsula of 

 Malacca, Sumatra and the islands thereabout, and Borneo south <>f 

 Sarawak, with the view of having a lucid nomenclature in describing 

 the Abbott specimens more at length in a larger work. The collec- 

 tions were personally gathered and presented to the United States 

 National Museum by Dr. William L. Abbott, of Philadelphia. 



The Abbott collections are of greatest scientific value as types. 

 because after studying the wants of the Museum he labeled each 

 specimen carefully according to the latest requirements, and they 

 come in the most opportune time to compare with the vast material 

 now being sent from the Philippines. The Abbott collections also 

 ally themselves with the textile handicrafts of Japan, China, the 

 southeastern Asiatic states, and the islands of the Pacific. 



The terms " basketry " and basketwork " are here taken to em- 

 brace all handicrafts used in the manufacture of Malaysian baskets 

 proper and in other industries as well, in which the same technical 

 processes occur. Later will be shown the varied and wide applica- 

 tion of the terms. 



The word Malaysia is preferred to Malaya, since the latter, as com- 

 monly used, is more restricted. The term also leaves room for the 

 racial diversities known to exist from the Philippines to the Sunda 

 Islands. 



Plate I shows how different in form, structure, and technic the 

 Malaysian basketwork is. The figures on the plate, beginning at the 

 left, are first, a carrying basket (Cat. No. 232633, U.S.N.M.). in close 

 oblique checker weaving, of pandanus. At the border the elements 

 are turned down over a hoop and inwoven. The carrying zone is 

 bound by two small stems run through the texture, forming a band 



Proceedings U. S. National Museum. Vol. XXXV— No. 1 631 . 

 Proc. X. M. vol. xxxv— OS 1 



