This woven pandanus basket is the double of one I brought home as a keepsake after we were married in the Cook Islands (20c, the Rangiora Charity Barn). If I remember correctly weaving is done, by women, only on one of the more remote of the islands and then brought in by boat to Rarotonga for sale to tourists. Much Cook Island weaving is exquisite, art-gallery worthy stuff, but I fell in love with these rough and ready to use ones (I also ditched the fancy necklace I'd planned to wear for the ceremony for a woven coconut husk fibre and Cook Island black pearl one I picked up there too). My original basket is a handbag for 'best'; this one is looking pretty dangling from a door handle, reminding me of relaxing beach holidays past, whilst earning it's keep as a cell phone, wallet, & keys receptacle.
