Sireu Beaded Skirt – Geelvink Bay (Cenderawasih Bay), West Papua Collected in the field, 1950 A finely composed sireu beaded skirt from the Geelvink Bay area, on the north coast of West Papua. This type of garment was traditionally presented as part of the marriage exchange, offered by the groom’s family to the family of the bride. The sireu was an important element in the network of social obligations, symbolizing alliance, wealth, and continuity between kin groups. The skirt is made of plant-fibre base strips intricately covered with small glass trade beads, forming geometric and curvilinear patterns typical of the Geelvink Bay region. The beads—mostly white, blue, and red—reflect the long history of trade connections between Papuan coastal communities and the Malay archipelago, as well as early European traders. Such beaded skirts were treasured possessions, carefully stored and occasionally displayed during major ceremonies. They were also used to signal the status of the giver’s family during bridewealth negotiations. This example shows minor age-related damage and some bead loss, consistent with its age and field collection. The piece retains a soft, aged patina and all the visual depth expected from authentic mid-20th-century material. Provenance: Collected in the field, Geelvink Bay, 1950. Condition: Minor damage and bead loss; otherwise intact and stable. Packed with care Sending worldwide Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024 A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies. A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums   Google:Papua Blues Koos Knol