Betel Nut Bag Decorated with strung Beads Hand Woven Old Authentic West Timor Indonesia

Description

W1981 – Aluk , saku Mens Betel nut bag. A very special and well preserved unique Aluk.

The bead strand decorations have been added over the top of the lightly buna embroider yellow internal bag displaying clan totemic motifs.

Oh the things that are in a betel nut bag….we have a glimpse inside one in the images.

Handwoven by the wonderful weaving women of West Timor [4Ws!] each of these unique Aluk displays the weavers tribal motif.

Aluk are a dedicated weaving. Another great example of the level of craft achievable.

17cm  /  7″ tall

17cm / 7″ wide

300g / 10oz [appx]

If you wish to gather multiple treasures, and international buyers are welcome, this website and shop cart should allow for it. If not, I will contact you to find the most economical way to send your treasures to you.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin’s cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades.

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars come into their informal/circular economy. Therefore, every purchase you choose to make with me will benefit the Atoni [people of West Timor] as soon as I can get back there.

I distribute reading glasses and nutritious food seeds as the soil in the western half of Timor is very poor and water a very precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.