item details
NameUnknown Samoan woman
ProductionThomas Andrew; photographer; circa 1896; Sāmoa
Classificationphotographic prints, portraits, black-and-white prints
Dimensions15, 20
Registration NumberO.001188/01
Credit lineGift of Alison Beckett and Robert McPherson, 1996
Overview
A woman with a cup (probably an ipu ava or kava cup), in a studio setting. Note the black shaggy garment around her waist known as an 'ie fuipani. This garment, made from Hibiscus Bast, was stained black by being pressed down in the mud of a swamp. It was used only during ceremonies to denote rank and status.