AKT.30 DESIGN AREAS IN OCEANIA KRIEGER 49 



the pineapple pattern. The base, a flaring pedestal form, is flattened and 

 widespread, detracting from the beauty and harmonious proportions of the 

 vessel. It is said that the reason for the wide pedestal bases on metal 

 food jars in Malaysia is the method of floor construction in Malay houses ; 

 the split bamboo sections being exceedingly irregular, causing a vessel 

 with narrow base to spill its contents over the floor. A floral design 

 encircles the upper margin. There is also a linked scroll design resembling 

 a loose plaiting or braid. 

 6. Betel nut bos of cast brass, U.S.N.M. No. 257654, length 6 inches, height 

 2y2 inches, width 3 inches. Lanao tribes of the Mohammedan Moros, 

 Mindanao, P. I. 



The box is provided with hinged lid and handle lugs at the ends. Within 

 are three compartments. In one is kept the leaf of the Piper betel, in 

 another the Bouaa nuts, and in the other lime. In use, a section of the 

 leaf is placed on the hand, and a cut section of the nut and some lime is 

 added. This is rolled and chewed. This habit turns the teeth black, 

 which is fashionable. The box is rectangular, and is in contrast with the 

 numerous cresent-shaped Buyo sets of cast brass designed to be carried at 

 the side under the armpit. Walls are plain. The lid has a meandered 

 double volute filigree design in relief resembling that on the brass tea 

 caddy just described, and the painted volute scroll designs on the basketry 

 betel nut boxes from Celebes. 



PLATB3 17 



Malay vessels of cast brass, and shell inlay on wood. 



Upper left: A miniature globose vessel of cast brass, U.S.N.M. No. 

 257712, 2% inches high and 4^/^ inches in diameter, is a typical example 

 of the pineapple design, incorporating on its walls an embellishment con- 

 sisting of series of protuberances and spurs resembling the spines of the 

 pineapple plant. Two of the flaring brass spurs had been broken off and 

 repaired with brass rivets by the native Malay workmen. Collected by 

 E. A. Mearns from Mindanao, P. I. 



Upper right: A decorated wooden trinket box, U.S.N.M. No. 232809, 

 collected by E. A. Mearns in Mindanao, is globose in form and has a wide 

 pedestal base. The characteristic Malay inlay forms a triangular fretted 

 design encircling the base and margin. In this wooden vessel the inlay 

 consists of the nacre of shell. Dimensions : Height, 2.4 inches ; diameter, 

 3.3 inches. Iniay on brass chow pots is in a light-colored metal alloy. 



Bottom figure: A teapot of cast brass, U.S.N.M. No. 232779, with a 

 diameter of 8 inches and standing 6.6 inches high. The vessel has a distinct 

 Hindu cast, but incorporates on the decorated walls the Malay pineapple 

 pattern in relief. The flaring pedestal base has a fluted relief embellish- 

 ment. The pot is provided with a spout, lid, and loop handle, with a 

 meandered cast filigree design in relief encircling the vessel near the margin 

 and on most of the upper surface of the lid. A conventionalized dragon 

 figure connects the end of spout with a lug supporting the looped handle. It 

 is an excellent example of Moro metal work in cast brass from the Lake 

 Lanao country of northern Mindanao, where, in the village of Taguya, 

 brass is still being cast in the form of decorated chow pots, cannon, storage 

 vases, pipes, chains, jewelry, and other objects. 



