Baskets
While the baskets are known as "Buka Baskets", the artists are in fact from Buin, South Bougainville. In colonial days, Bougainville was known as "Big Buka" and Buka Island as "Liklik Buka", hence the confusion. Colonial settlers appreciated the skill of such fine weaving and patterning, made by reversing the cane, and encouraged weavers to adapt their arts to the making of various baskets and household items for modern living. Today these baskets are very expensive and, prior to the recent war, became the most common art/craft export of Bougainville.
Josephine Tankunani Sirivi
Basket, Bougainville, acquired by the Australian Museum in 1912 from J Denham. Length 60cm, width 38cm, height 33cm. Photo: C Bento.
From left to right: Wicker work plate, diameter 47cm and height 6cm and Wicker work bowl diameter, 46.5cm, height 33cm. Both acquired by the Australian Museum in 1917 from WJ Potter. Photo: C Bento.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
