Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi: Indonesia
Glass and stone beads/buttons, shell, cotton cloth, rattan; length/width of longest one 118cm/7.5cm
These three bands feature shell, glass and stone beads sewn onto rattan backs. The longest one has mostly yellow/orange glass beads and also some stone ones. The medium-length one has rows of yellow and red glass beads, and also small seashells and stone buttons. The shortest one has the finest glass beads in varied colours. While the latter is small enough to be used as a headdress, the two longer ones were likely to have been used as belts. Note that the uneven sizes of the beads imply that they were handmade instead of being mass-produced in factories.
For the people across the Indonesian archipelago, beads were a symbol of status and wealth as they were exotic trade-goods that came from as far as Europe and Japan. They were used not only as jewellery but also to decorate everyday items like clothing, hats and sheaths.

Stabilised. Generally in good condition. There are loss of some beads and threads that are consistent with usage and age.