Tatua (belt)

In ancestral times, tatua (men's belts) were worn around the waist and used to carry short-handled weapons. Some tatua are held in museum collections of taonga (treasures). These have become the inspiration for Matthew MacIntyre Wilson's series of tatua, intricately woven belts in fine silver and copper. Each of these belts uses a different technique, to create a distinctive pattern. Two are woven in repeating spiral patterns that create an illusion of continuity and depth. One uses a strong simple layout of alternating copper and silver threads. McIntyre Wilson has modelled the fastenings on belts from other Pacific Islands, particularly the Solomon Islands. He has used waxed linen thread in the fastenings, for flexibility in tying.