Title: Robley: Te Ropere, 1840—1930

Author: Timothy Walker

Publication details: University of Auckland, 1985, Auckland

Digital publication kindly authorised by: Timothy Walker

Part of: The Moko Texts Collection

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Robley: Te Ropere, 1840—1930

Historical New Zealand Portraits

page 329

Historical New Zealand Portraits

119. Modern New Zealand Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

119. Modern New Zealand
Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

page 330

Female Portraits

119. Modern New Zealand

  • w/c on paper

  • 394 × 256 mm.

  • sign.: (pencil) on label, affixed, lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 798

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower right margin [↓]

“Modern New Zealand”

120. A Maori Amazon

  • w/c on white paper

  • 235 × 152 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 822

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, R's hand) upper centre [↓]

“a Maori Amazon/with/tupara = double barrel/and pamanu = pouch/across breast.”

121. Girl in love with deceased shoots herself

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 178 × 271 mm.

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 857

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Notes: The title of this work comes from a note on the original HBAGM catalogue card, which records that the painting was received with a label to that effect.

This image was painted as an illustration for Frederick Maning's “Old New Zealand”: It was never used.

page 331

Male Portraits

122. Hori Haupapa

  • w/c on white paper

  • 225 × 146 mm.

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 824

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“Hori Haupapa/who escaped from Mokoia [illeg.]/when that fortress was attacked/by the Ngapuhi (armed with Hongi's guns)/1822.”

123. Tuterei Karewa

  • w/c & pencil on white paper

  • 248 × 198 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • ATL Collection A80/56

  • Accn No.: 78–634

  • Provenance: Donne/Fuller; purchased from Webster Estate, 1970.

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) lower right

Tuterei/Karewa

Verso: (w/c, R's hand) lower page

Tuterei Karewa/chief of the Ngatimaru tribe/these lines would/be added, to/complete the/moko -/ 1. centre forehead Titi/ 2. cheeks kowiri/ 3. upper lip Hupe.”
[NB: this incription is accompanied with a sketch of head, numbered 1, 2, 3 as per notes.]
page 332

124a. Te Manawa

  • w/c on white paper

  • 225 × 193 mm.

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 163

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Mt. Verso: (ink, R's hand) centre

“Te Manawa old warrior/famous for his tattooing.
the past/art of the Maori.”

(ink, R's hand) lower centre

“Chin pattern/of Te Manawa.” [sketch]

(ink, R's hand) lower right

“good/upper lip ‘Hupe’/ and/chin ‘kauae’ tattooing.”

124b. Te Manawa

  • w/c on white paper

  • image: 160 × 120 mm.

  • support: 325 × 205 mm.

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E–121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton — Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) lower right

Te Manawa

(ink, R's hand) bottom

“The tattooing and/Portrait of Te Manawa/The past (sic.) away/decoration of/the Maori/4.”

124c. Old Chief Te Manawa

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 232 × 170 mm.

  • sign.: (ink) lower left “H.G. Robley

  • Tauranga Museum Collection (no class.)

  • Provenance: J.C. Adams Collection

Inscriptions

Mt. Verso: (ink, R's hand) top

“Old Chief Te Manawa.”
page 333

124d. The Old Warrior Te Manawa

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 222 × 186 mm. (sight)

  • Canterbury Musem Collection E-121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, R's hand) lower centre

“chin pattern/[sketch]”

(pencil, R's hand) upper left

“The Old Warrior Te Manawa.”

124e. Te Manawa

  • w/c & pencil on white paper

  • 247 × 198 mm.

  • sign.: (chinese white) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • ATL Picture Collection A 80/48

  • Accn. No.: 78–635

  • Provenance: Donne/Fuller; purchased from Webster estate, 1970

Inscriptions

Recto: (chinese white, R's hand) lower right

Te Manawa

Verso: (w/c, R's hand) upper page

“The old Maori/tattooed warrior.”

(ink, R's hand) lower centre

“on chin is/ [sketch of kauae (chin Moko)]
page 334

125a. Tuari Netana

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 248 × 173 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 813

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) bottom

“Tuari Netana/Chief Ngatimaru Tribe/Hauraki Gulf.”

125b. Tuari Netana

  • w/c on white paper

  • 230 × 165 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 823

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink & w/c, R's hand) bottom

“Tuari Netana/Cheif Ngati maru tribe/Hauraki Gulf/Series partly tattooed Chiefs.”

Mt. Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“Age about 90. Capt. Mair (N.Z.C.) H.G. Robley.”

125c. Tuari Netana

  • w/c on white paper

  • image: 160 × 140 mm.

  • support: 325 × 205 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes, M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“3 Tattooing and/Portrait of Tuari Netana Ngatimaru/7.”

(chinese white, R's hand) lower right

Netana

Verso: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“A defender of the Totara Pah 1821 7.”
page 335

125d. Tuari Netana

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 187 × 160 mm.

  • support: 192 × 168 mm.

  • Hocken Library Collection A/R666

  • Accn. No.: 14,458

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, R's hand) centre

Tuari Netana/old chief/Ngatimaru Tribe/Hauraki Gulf.”

126. Ngati, Interpreter to the New Zealand Company

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 206 × 155 mm. (sight)

  • support: 225 × 177 mm.

NMNZ Collection FA 1645

Provenance: Fildes Collection

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, after Fildes) lower page

“Neti- (or Nayti) or Natai or Natai — Maori/interpreter to the New Zealand Company, Port/Nicholson, Wellington NZ 1839–184-/ Died at Titahi Bay 5th April 1842, aged/about 30. Water colour sketch made by Maj-General H.G. Robley, London, in 1837, & in the possession/of H. Fildes, 118 upland Rd, Kelburn Wellington/(note in hand of H. Fildes)”

(pencil, Fildes' hand) upper page

Ngati — Maori interpreter to NZ Co./ w.c. sketch by Maj. Gen. H.G. Robley/from a woodcut done in 1837/(18/9/1925) London)”
page 336

127. Atama Paparangi

  • black w/c & ink/wash on white cart.

  • 393 × 292 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c lower right “H.G. Robley

  • APL Collection NZ Prints 589

Inscriptions

Verso: (w/c, R's hand) upper page

“(Atama/Paparangi)/ chief of the/Rarawa/Tribe/Tattooing begun/not finished.”

(ink, R's hand) centre

“and nose/nostril unfinished/ditto with lower lip”

Notes: This is a copy after Goldie's “In doubt” (1918) which was reproduced in colour in Brett's Christmas Annual — 21 October, 1923.

“Brett Xmas number had a Goldie's Atama — with unfinished nose… the healed up is correctly drawn. He is a splendid artist — wish he had seen a younger generation.” [Robley-Adams: n/d. ATL MS16/9]

“I find I am correct in certain ornaments of moko not/given by Earle or Angas — Goldie is correct always.” [Robley-Adams: n/d. ATL MS16/9]

“Goldie, the best artist in moko.” [Robley: n/d. ATL MS1387/20.]

128a. Riwhitete Pokai

  • w/c on white paper

  • 276 × 250 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower left “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 132

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) bottom

“see back Riwhitete Pokai

Verso: (ink, R's hand) centre

Riwhitete Pokai/Ngapuhi chief/and raider with Hongi/on that chiefs return/from England with muskets/H.G. Robley/syned (sic.)”
page 337

128b. Riwhitete Pokai

  • w/c on white paper

  • image: 165 × 123 mm.

  • support: 325 × 205 mm.

  • sign.: (ink) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) lower right

Riwhitete Pokai

(ink, R's hand) lower page

“The Tattooing and/Portrait of Riwhitete Pokai/Ngapuhi/[sign.]/6.”

128c. Riwhitete Pokai

  • w/c & pencil on white cart.

  • 190 × 171 mm.

  • ATL Picture Room A80/66

  • Accn. No.: 78–639

  • Provenance: Donne/Fuller; purchased from Webster estate, 1970

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower right

Riwhitete Pokai

Verso: (ink, R's hand) centre

Riwhitete Pokai/portrait Page Vol 1./NZ Wars/ & Pioneering Periods/2 bayonet wounds/at Kororarieka (sic.) 1845/Heke's raid/Heke died 1850/Pokai — 1893

Notes:Riwhitete POKAI fought at Kororareka in Heke's raid; see “N.Z. Wars Vol I” [Cowan: 1922] page 43. On page 45 of the same text there is an illustration of Pokai based on S. Stuart's painting. Robley's portraits are copied from this likeness.

page 338

129a. Kereopa Te Rau

  • ink/wash on white paper

  • 64 × 194 mm.

  • NMNZ Collection (no class.)

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) right side

Kereopa Te Rau/ (Kai-Whatu/ eye-eater/ captured 1871/Hung-”

129b. Kereopa “Kaiwhatu”

  • black w/c & ink & chinese white on white cart.

  • image: 95 × 105 mm.

  • support: 117 × 140 mm.

  • VUW Collection. Fildes NZ Portfolio/1.

  • Provenance: Fildes Collection

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower centre

Kereopa/“Kaiwhatu

(ink, Fildes' hand) bottom centre

“by Major-General H.G. Robley

Verso: (pencil, Fildes' hand) centre

“Kereopa — the “Eye-Eater”/who caused the death of the/Rev. Mr. Volkner at Opotiki/2 March 1865/Kereopa was hanged in/Napier Goal 1872.”

Note: These works are copied from a photograph which appeared in the “Weekly Press” on the 8th October, 1913.

130. Whanganui Take Take

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 250 × 173 mm. (sight)

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right [↑] “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 165

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) bottom

“Whanganui Take Take/see Tregear's Maori Race Page 312.”
page 339

131a. Tawhiao

  • w/c on whitew cart.

  • 160 × 130 mm. (sight)

  • sing.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 812

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“Tawhiao the so-called Maori king/visited England in 1884 — refused an audience/by the Queen.”

(pencil, R's hand) lower right

“see over”

Verso: (ink, R's hand) whole page

“Visiting card of/Tawhiao/1884/king Tawhiao/Major Wiremu Te Wheoro/Topia Turoa/Hori Ropihana/Patara te Tuki/In London visit Tawhiao/wore tall white hat/at the Xtal Palace on his visit/a representation was given in/brown & blue lights of/his portrait/(blue for the tattooing —)/Note has the same amount of tattooing Round eg.”

131b. Tawhiao

  • w/c on white paper

  • image: 150 × 120 mm.

  • support: 325 × 205 mm.

  • sign.: (ink) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto and Verso: (ink, R's hand)

[similar to a). above]
page 340

131c. Tawhiao

  • ink on white cart.

  • 165 × 126 mm.

  • ATL Manuscript Collection MS16/4

  • Provenance: Craig-brown Collection

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, ? hand) bottom left

“Drawn by General Robley.”

Notes: These works are copies after the photograph of Tawhiao which Robley included in “Moko; or Maori Tattooing” at page 112.

The ‘Xtal’ Palace referred to in the inscriptions is the Crystal Palace.

page 341

132a. Whanganui Tupe

  • w/c on white paper

  • image: 165 × 145 mm.

  • support: 325 × 205 mm.

  • sign.: (ink) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121-9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink & pencil, R's hand) bottom

“2 Tattooing and/Portrait of Whanganui Tupe/8/ Wellington Province.”

(chinese white, R's hand) lower right

Tupe

Verso: (ink, R's hand) lower right corner

“8”

132b. Wanganui Tupe (sic.)

  • w/c, ink & pencil on white paper

  • 228 × 194 mm.

  • sign.: lower right “H.G. Robley

  • ATL Picture Collection A 80/62

  • Accn. No.: 78–637

  • Provenance: Donne/Fuller; purchased from Webster estate, 1970

Inscriptions

Recto: (w/c, R's hand) bottom centre

Wanganui Tupe (sic)”

(ink, R's hand) lower right

Wanganui/Tupe (sic.)”

Verso: (ink, R's hand) upper centre

“Wanganui Tupe (sic.)”
page 342

132c. [Whanganui Tupe]

  • w/c on paper

  • 199 × 188 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 817

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Labels

Mt Recto: (typed label) lower centre

“This native's Moko appears to be completed, but not/of an elaborate nature. He wears the tahau or/ornamented tooth earring.”
127a. Whanganui Tupe Canterbury Museum

127a. Whanganui Tupe
Canterbury Museum

page break
133b. [Old Chief] Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

133b. [Old Chief]
Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

page 343

133. Old Chief

This portrait is probably based on a sketch Robley took while in New Zealand. He has used different backgrounds in these two examples; the pataka at Wairoa in the first (see Cat. No: 28.) and a Tauranga harbour scene, with carved canoe prow, in the second.

133a. Old Chief

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 165 × 156 mm.

  • support: 255 × 183 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121–9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“Old chief, with right cheek and upper forehead tattooing/unfinished”

Mt Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“15/sitting near a food storehouse/Wairoa — Tauranga/H.G. Robley

Mt Verso: (pencil, R's hand) whole page

[sketch of Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) after the battle]

133b. [Old Chief]

  • w/c on paper

  • 257 × 160 mm.

  • sign:(w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 828

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“Chief whose upper forehead pattern “Ngatiti”/and right cheek spiral “paepae”/are not commenced.”
page 344

134. Old Chief, Wairoa, Tauranga

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 165 × 156 mm.

  • support: 255 × 183 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right corner “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121-9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

“Old Chief with right cheek and upper tattooing/unfinished.”

Mt. Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“15 sitting near a food storehouse/Wairoa—Tauranga/H.G. Robley

Mt. Verso: (pencil, R's hand) whole page [↓]

[sketch of ‘Gate Pa, early morning, 30th April, 1864’]

Note: Robley has used the ‘Pataka at Wairoa’ (Cat. No. 28) as a background for this portrait. The Chief's name is not recorded.

135. Old Style Chief

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 234 × 176 mm.

  • support: 245 × 187 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower left “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121-9

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

Old Style Chief — complete moko”

Mt Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“13/ Passed away decoration/ of the Maori-guided by features/ so every man differed in his moko/ besides fancy of the operator who had/ client at his mercy — again a different/ artist might have to carry to completion.”
page 345

136. Partly tattooed Maori Chief

  • w/c on white paper

  • 262 × 161 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 858

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) top

“Partly Tattooed Maori Chief/ fashion of wearing 2 Huia feathers”
136. Partly tattooed Maori Chief Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

136. Partly tattooed Maori Chief
Hawkes Bay Art Gallery & Museum

page 346

137. Fully tattooed — Waiora

  • w/c on white cart.

  • 230 × 167 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “H.G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 816

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R;s hand) right margin [↑]

“No. 11/ Fully Tattooed — Wairoa.”

Verso: (ink, R's hand) upper centre

“This fully tattooed Chief/ being full face on/ shows the special ⅛ inch/ * space between the patterns R & Left/ along the profile —/ this “Waiora” * divides R & Left designs/ — from forehead to chin/ the “waiora” is kept straight/ especially down the nose.”

138. An old Chief with remarkable moko

  • w/c on white paper

  • 211 × 138 mm.

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 818

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, R's hand) upper centre [↓]

“Old chief with remarkable moko/ The Waiora line dividing/ the pattern most carefully/ kept/ “Hupe” over upper lip [sketch]/ “unusual”.”

(pencil, R's hand) right margin, centre

[sketch of palisade of a pa.]
page break
138. An old Chief with remarkable moko Hawkes Bay Gallery & Museum

138. An old Chief with remarkable moko
Hawkes Bay Gallery & Museum

page 347

139. Old Style Chief — complete moko

  • w/c on white cart.

  • image: 234 × 176 mm.

  • support: 245 × 187 mm.

  • sign,: (w/c) lower left “H.G. Robley

  • Canterbury Museum Collection E-121-9

  • Presented by Sir Robert Heaton-Rhodes M.P., 1921

Inscriptions

Recto: (ink, R's hand) bottom

Old Style Chief — complete moko.”

Mt. Recto: (ink, R's hand) lower page

“13/ Passed away decoration/ of the Maori — guided by features/ so every man differed in his moko/ besides fancy of the operator who had/ client at his mercy — again a different/ artist might have to carry to completion”

Mt. Verso: (ink, R's hand) lower right corner

“13”

Note: Robley has used the ‘Pataka at Wairoa’ (Cat. No. 28) as a background for this portrait. The Chief's name is not recorded.

140. Tohunga Ta Moko (after Lindauer)

  • w/c on white paper

  • 167 × 204 mm.

  • sign.: (w/c) lower right “G. Robley

  • HBAGM Collection MMC 805

  • Presented by Lady McLean, Napier, 1930's

Inscriptions

Verso: (ink, ? hand) upper left

“Copied from Lindauer/ The “Tohunga Ta Moko” priest or learned in tattooing/ at work.”

Note: This work is a copy after Lindauer's painting of the same name. [see “Pictures of Old New Zealand”, Whitcombe & Tombs, 1930 plate 2.]

page 348

141. Maori with dogskin mat

  • oil on fibre board

  • 238 × 195 mm.

  • ATL Picture Collection A 80/19

  • Provenance: Captn. A.W.F. Fuller: purchased at Sotheby & Co, 1973

Inscriptions
  • Verso: (ink, ? hand)

“[illeg.]/ (Later Durham Lt. Infantry) in 1838, Made/ Lt in 1858. He Fought with His Regiment/ in the 2nd New Zealand War 1846–66/ So It Can be Assumed That This Was/ Painted During These Years.”

(pencil, ? hand) upper centre

“Small fluted”

(ink, ? hand) centre

R. Clayton/ 68th Lt. Inftry.”

(ink, R's hand?) lower page

“Maori with/ dogskin mat — greenstone/ tiki & earrings &c/ H.G.R.”

Notes: This poorly executed oil is possibly by Robley. The writer of the first inscription is wrong to assume the date s/he does. It is more probable that this work was painted during the 1920's, if it is, in fact, by Robley.