Unknown Maker, Philippine

In 1909, these and other Philippine objects were gifted to the RISD Museum by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Most are made of piña bastos—the thicker, rougher fibers that are the first to be harvested from pineapple-plant leaves. These works were originally brought to the US for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, and were likely displayed at the Philippine Village there with other objects by Filipino makers, plants and animals native to the Philippines, and exhibits of living Filipino people.