Tapora. Coconut frond basket. Tapora woven from one large kikau (coconut major rib leaf) in a check pattern. Overall shape is oval. Commencement at the rim. Tapora is plaited in a plain check pattern then finished with an iri (braid) at the base to seal up the tapora. The opening rim of the tapora is the split major rib part of the kikau. These two sides have been tied closer together with three strands of rauara. The tapora also has a braided kikau tatai (handle) which has been incorporated from the same leaf. Natural colour. "8237 Rarotonga" handwritten in black ink on side of basket. Quite dry and brittle, some splitting occurring in several places with age.