Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Material

Care of items made from fibres

Vegetable fibres are used for the manufacture of a range of woven objects. In the north of Australia, the Pandanus Palm—Pandanus spiralis—and the Sand Palm—Livisonia humilis—are used extensively for basket making. Fibrous grasses of the genus Cyperus are used also.

Bush string is made from a range of species—including the Yellow-flowered and Red-flowered Kurrajong—Branchychiton diversifolius and Branchychiton paradoxum respectively—the Banyan Tree—Ficus virensand—Beach Hibiscus—Hibiscus tiliaceus. Bush string is used to make bags and ornaments.

In recent years, Aboriginal people have developed a range of vegetable-dye recipes for colouring their vegetable fibres; and in some regions the purple dye of the Murex shellfish is also used.

Fibre items and bark paintings in display Photograph courtesy of Karen Coote, Australian Museum

Objects are also made from human-hair string, and some are decorated with the feathers from a variety of birds.

Insect attack can be avoided by:

• storing objects in sealed containers to prevent infestation;

• placing these items indoors for exhibition, preferably in sealed showcases;

• checking objects constantly for insect attack; and

• fumigating or freezing items that are being attacked by insects.

Damage through exposure to light and UV radiation

Light and UV radiation damage can be avoided by:

• storing objects in containers or boxes with lids, or under cotton or Tyvek covers;

• rotating items on exhibition, so that individual items are not exposed for long periods;

• keeping light levels low when items are on display, and turning lights off when they are not needed for viewing; and

• using low UV-emitting light sources, and avoiding sunlight.

Fibre items stored in planchest drawers Photograph courtesy of Karen Coote, Australian Museum