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 ceremonially exchanged. Kato alu continues to be made today; the art of kato alu is in the preparation process and the weaving technique.

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). It has four diamond shapes, each with a cross on the inside. Three of the diamond shapes have a small cluster of shells at the top, and the last diamond shape has no shells. Two diamond shapes have white cowrie shells, while the third has brown shells. Between the diamond shapes, the kafa is stitched to make small vertical angle shapes similar to amoamokofe that mimic the sides of the diamond shapes.

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