Chasuble

Origins
This is a chasuble, a form of outer vestment worn by Catholic priests when they are celebrating mass. The vestment was made in Tonga for Father John Faisandier and given to him on the occasion of his ordination as priest in Heretaunga, Hutt Valley New Zealand in 1978.

Materials and decoration techniques
The chasuble is made of barkcloth manufactured from the bark of the paper mulberry plant. It is hand painted with a combination of Christian and Tongan imagery. The Tongan pattern is known as Tokelau feletoa and a motif possibly representing olive branches decorates the border of the chasuble. The other images on the vestment are taken from Catholic iconography. The Virgin Mary is depicted on the front, and an image of Christ appears on the back.

Significance
This chasuble is a significant illustration of how Christian religion has permeated the social and cultural life of Pacific peoples. The indigenous arts have been greatly influenced by Christianity's literature, teachings and iconography. In a similar way the rituals and ceremonies of Christianity have been shaped by artforms and practices of Pacific peoples and made distinctly "Pacific"