Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Cape composed of flax leaves that have been scraped into fibres, woven together wih a band at the waistband and using regularly spaced single pair twining the top half of the skirt. Each row is overlaid with intermitently scraped leaves, resembling stalks, and the bottom half is comprised mostly of free-moving stalk-like leaves. Several tufts of grey downy feathers are attached intermittently near the waistband.

History Of Use

The structure of this skirt would have made it both warm and modest for the upper thighs, while at the same time the dangling leaves of the bottom half would allow for freedom of movement. Feathers would have been used around the entire waist band.

Specific Techniques

The Maori term for New Zealand Flax is harakeke, while the Latin term is phormium texax. In order to obtain the fibres used for weaving, the leaf is scraped and dried. When only parts of the leaf are scraped, the leaf rolls up when dried, forming the stalk-like parts of the skirt.

Item History

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items