Title devised by cataloguer.

Kato alu (woven ceremonial basket) is one of several types of baskets that were made in Tonga as early as the eighteenth century. Kato alu originates from the island of 'Eua, southeast of Tongatapu, the main group of islands of Tonga. Kato alu are significant Tongan cultural items of exchange and are often presented as gifts during weddings, funerals, and birthdays. They are also works of great artistry, skill, and ingenuity. The art of kato alu is primarily in construction. Each kato alu is woven from carefully prepared roots of the alu plant and the midribs of coconut leaves. The lengthy and complex production process involves several stages - plant harvesting, cooking, weaving, and decoration - before the basket is ready to be ceremonially exchanged. Kato alu continues to be made today; the art of kato alu is in the preparation process, the weaving technique, and decorations.

The base is cm, height cm x length cm x width cm.

This black kato alu is oval and has brown decorative stitching in kafa (braided coconut husk fibre cord). There are four asterisk shapes and two disk shapes. The katu alu has a long and short side. The kafa satriching is on the long sides, and the short sides are plain. Small brown shells make a galland around the top of the basket. The string of shells is broken in places. A large white cowrie shell is glued to the basket and may have been added at a later date.

Talanoa

This kato alu was a wedding gift to Princess Sālote Pilolevu Tuku'aho and Siosa'ia Tuita. Princess Sālote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuku'aho and Siosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita were married in 1976.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salote_Mafile%CA%BBo_Pilolevu_Tuita

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siosa%CA%BBia_Ma%CA%BBulupekotofa_Tuita