Bark Belt (titi bae) c. 20th century

This bark belt, or titi bae, of unknown origin is made from tree bark and plant fiber. The geometric designs carved into its surface are visual codes that would have been understood within its original cultural context. The question of "context" is key here because this object has been separated from its culture, ending up in an encyclopedic museum. It's anonymity raises some crucial questions. What was the place of this object in its society? Was it purely ornamental, or did it serve a more ritualized function? Was it worn by men or women? Was it worn every day, or only on special occasions? What does its presence here tell us about the history of collecting and display practices? We can learn more about this kind of object from collections of indigenous art and material culture, from field reports of early anthropologists, and from historical accounts that document the role of adornment. The interpretation of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.