A support system for flexible palm spathe objects

Methods to cast supports for flexible sections of ceremonial costumes were considered. The sections of costume consist ot flat palm spathe, decorated with pigment and seeds embedded in a resinous material. The fragile surface decoration required total support to allow inversion of the objects during casting of their undersides. This was achieved using casting plaster and liquid polyurethane foam. Since some parts of the objects are sensitive to heat, temperatures generated by plaster and polyurethane foam while curing were measured. The final support mounts were made from glass-fibre reinforced polyester resin and covered with fabric.