item details
Overview
This pare (hat) comes from Manihiki in the Northern Cook Islands. Construction This is a hat made from pandanus leaves in an open weave style. The woven elements are dyed blue and yellow. The crown of the hat is capped with a polished pearlshell plate and is bordered by a tubular hat band consisting of small yellow shells. The weaver has used the same kind of shells to create 26 rosettes that line the underbrim edging of the hat.
Significance
This pare belonged to Jean Chapman-Mason who used to have a regular supplier of pare and other woven products within the Cook Islands. However, by the 21st century many people were emigrating to New Zealand or Australia and sellers would not maintain a permanent stall in the markets. People preferred to call in on an irregular basis with their goods to see if Chapman-Mason wanted to purchase anything from them.
Acquisition history
The pare was offered as a gift to Te Papa in 2017 by curator and poet Jean T. Chapman-Mason (Cook Islands/English).