Tairiiri (Fan)

Tairiiri. Fan. Composite tairiiri woven from kikau ou (coconut midrib and leaf) with dyed-orange/brown apuraka (giant swamp taro) overlaid akamanea (decoration), attached to a mauranga (handle) rakau (wooden). The blade is in the shape of an inverted triangle. Plaited commencement at the centre base of the blade. Woven out in vertical twill to form lower edge and sides of blade. Weaving technique then alters to a horizontal twill, altering again to a check weave to complete the rest of the blade. Mostly natural colour with overlaid dyed-orange/red strips of apuraka forming pattern, mata (eyes) along the top of the blade. Top edge of the blade is flat. Blade is attached to a shaped mauranga rakau and lashed at the centre base of the blade with cotton thread.