Loading

Tatua Hume (belt)

Unknown (weaver)1800-1840

Te Papa

Te Papa
Wellington, New Zealand

This tātua (man's woven belt) is made from fine muka (flax fibre) extracted from the harakeke (flax: Phormium tenax) plant. This example is decorated with dog hair. Tātua were worn around the waist and used to carry short-handled weapons such as mere and patu (short flat clubs).

Acquisition
This tātua was presented to the Saffron Walden Museum (England) in 1840. It was later acquired by English collector James Thomas Hooper, one of four prominent collectors of Polynesian artefacts in the United Kingdom.

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Tatua Hume (belt)
  • Creator: Unknown (weaver)
  • Date Created: 1800-1840
  • Physical Dimensions: Overall: 420mm (width), 200mm (height), 2870mm (length), Overall: 105mm (width), 2870mm (length)
  • Provenance: Purchased 1977
  • Subject Keywords: Te Huringa I: 1800 - 1900
  • Rights: All Rights Reserved
  • External Link: Te Papa Collections Online
  • Medium: Muka fibre, dog hair
  • Registration ID: ME013966
Te Papa

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites