Robley: Te Ropere, 1840—1930
Whakairo tangata
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Whakairo tangata
[Note added by annotator:]
Description: Tattooed Thigh Skin (1) “Moko; or Maori Tattooing” figure 13.
This image is not available for public viewing as it depicts either mokamokai (preserved heads) or human remains. The reasons for non-display are detailed in the policy regarding display of images of mokamokai. If you would like to comment on this decision you can contact NZETC.
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1. Tattooed Thigh Skin
Robley No. 31A
AMNH Collection 80.0-667
Provenance
Purchased from a London leather shop, 1894.
No History.
Sold to AMNH, 1907.
Remarks
| “- |
the pattern was called “Puhoro” — This skin was found in a London leather shop in 1894 by the artist. It is rare, and none in the British Museum; is figure 13 in “Moko; or Maori Tattooing” (diminished to ⅔rds).” “Resembles the drawing in Dumont D'Urville's voyages which is copied Fig 16 “Moko”.” [Robley (w/c) ATL A80/7] |
Reproductions
“Moko; or Maori Tattooing”. [Robley:1896] figure 13.
2. Tattooed Thigh Skin
AMNH Collection 80.0-673
Provenance
Purchased c.1898.
No History.
Sold to AMNH, 1907.
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[Female Whakairo Design]
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w/c on white paper
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368 × 268 mm.
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sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G.Robley”
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AIM Collection PD48(44)
| Recto: | (w/c, R's hand) lower page |
| “Pattern of tatu on mons veneris of a Maori woman of rank taken by Dr. Shortland and verse of a song on this tatuing of the chieftainess Rangi te a Pakura, obtained by Mr Elsdon Best, N.Z.I. | |
| “Kei puta atu hoki tawa kai nga taruki i Tutaeahua ka paia pukutia mai e nga nana o te tara Whakairo o Rangi-tea-Pakura … e … ha/ see notes on back.”* | |
| Verso: | (ink, R's hand) whole page |
| " “Moko” is the tattooing of the face | |
| “Whakairo” is the tattooing of the body | |
| Dr Shortland's was the only drawing of this tattooing existing — this tattoo existed in Fiji and New Zealand. The one drawing of this tatu existing was taken by Dr Shortland — the writer. the donor was Dr Hocken, a great collector who gave [me] the drawing for my book, Moko or Maori tatu — [sketch] this rare sketch given me by Dr Hocken, copies taken by Baron von Hugel [?] Cambridge, & Wellington Museum & & copy 10/-.” |
Notes: “The design was sent me in time [for the publication of “Moko; or Maori Tattooing.”] by Hocken … but I was afraid to print.” [Robley-Fildes: 1920 VUW Fildes Collection/10]
“Tattooing by pricking (not cuts) on a Maori woman of rank.” [Robley (w/c) Cant. Mm E-121-9/No. 38]
“It is correct however that Maori women's blue markings on the body were pricked in by female artists — skin remaining smooth.” [Robley: n/d AIM MS256]
Baron von Hugel was the Curator of the University Museum of Ethnology, Cambridge. [Robley-Mair: n/d ATL qMs/1898–1922]
* David R. Simmons gives this waiata extract — supplied to Robley by Elsdon Best — as: “Kei puta hoki tawa nga tarouke i Tuteahua ka paia pukutia mae e nga nana o te tara whakairo o Rangi Te Apakura … E … Ha,” and translates it thus: “Lest the struggles of Tuteahua succeed they will be stopped secretly by the tattoo marks on the tattooed vagina of Rangi Te Apakura.” [Simmons: 1893 p.240]
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NB: Robley painted a number of copies of this work. As well as the two further examples in the Auckland Institute and Museum Collection — PD48(40) & PD48(43), the following Collection include examples of this subject:
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ATL A33/25
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Cant. Museum E-121-9/No.38
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Hocken Library M1488 (Page 468)
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Hocken Library MS488 (2 copies)
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VUW Fildes NZ Portfolio/2
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Auckland Institute & Museum PD48(43)
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