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The Interior Museum continues to be temporarily closed until further notice, with no gallery access, building tours, or in-person public programs. Updates will be posted to the museum’s website and on Twitter and Facebook (@InteriorMuseum). We invite you to discover some of our collections highlights and digital exhibitions online and hope you will explore more than 50 past public lectures available on our YouTube channel.
Collections Spotlight
Marshallese fan (deel)
Mid to late 20th century
U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, INTR 02266
In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, woven handicrafts constitute an important part of the economy and are also considered among the finest in the Pacific. Fans can vary greatly and may have both utilitarian and decorative roles. This handheld fan or deel is characteristic of a type from Likiep Atoll made with mālwe—from the midribs (pāp) of coconut palm fronds—and woven and wrapped with bleached and dyed coconut fibers. The intricate geometric designs at the center are called benben, achieved by stringing the opening and needle-weaving over and under the spokes with kimej, strips prepared from the new shoots (juubub) of coconut fronds.
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1849 C Street, NW, MS 1251 |
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