item details
NameTaupou of Saoluafata
ProductionThomas Andrew; photographer; circa 1896; Upolu
Classificationgelatin silver prints, photographic prints, black-and-white prints, portraits
Materialssilver, photographic gelatin, photographic paper
Materials Summaryblack and white photograph, gelatin silver print
Techniquesblack-and-white photography
Dimensions15, 20
Registration NumberO.001355/01
Credit lineGift of Alison Beckett and Robert McPherson, 1996
Overview
Portrait of the Taupou (maid of the village/high chief's mistress of ceremonies/cheif's daughter) of Saluafata. She is lying on 'ie sina (white shaggy matting) and is wearing an 'ie fuipani (black shaggy skirt) with a seed pod belt, and a bodice of grass and raffia-type material. There are dark ribbons on each shoulder, and the Taupou has a headwreath of flowers in her short hair (she is also wearing a gold locket).