Provenance:

Private Collection, Hawke's Bay since 1930s

Exhibited:

Canterbury Society of Arts 1912

Illustrated:

p. 161 C F Goldie His Life & Painting, Alister Taylor & Jan Glen, Alister Taylor publishing 1977

Arawa Chieftainess Te Aitu Te Irikau, was a favoured subject of Charles Frederick Goldie. The artist painted her on at least eight occasions between 1911 and 1922. In this, her first portrait dated 1911, Te Aitu Te Irikau bears the symbols of her rank. The distinctive moko kauae, female chin tattoo, was received by women on the basis of their mana which was established through their lineage or whakapapa. The flax and feather cloak, hei tiki and pendant earrings or kuru, of pounamu/greenstone are important elements and traditional symbols of status worn by Te Aitu Te Irikau with dignity.

This pristine work, never before offered for sale, is presented in its original Goldie frame.