IDNO

P.87297.VH

Description

F.H. Dufty photograph of chiefly and priestly artefacts collected by Baron von Hugel, Sir Arthur Gordon and other occupants of Government House at Nasova, Levuka, in 1876. At top left is the civavonovono breast-plate that originally belonged to Ratu Tanoa, Vunivalu of Bau and father of Ratu Seru Cakobau, and is now in CUMAA [Z 2730; see note to P.87209]. Next to it is a large wasekaseka or waseisei necklace made from lengths of split sperm whale teeth or walrus tusk obtained from traders. Below are three ibuburau or priest’s yaqona dishes, used when a possessed priest is drinking on behalf of the kalou or ancestor spirit that has occupied his body. All three belong now to the CUMAA collection. [Fergus Clunie, 26/7/2003]

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Ovalau Island; Near Levuka; Nasova

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Dufty, Francis Herbert (Dufty Brothers, Levuka)

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1876

Collection Name

Von Hugel CollectionMuseum Objects and Galleries

Source

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.87297.VH to P.87320.VH were wrapped in the piece of paper now numbered C512/3/. This envelope came from the Museum’s paper archive envelope VH1/4/7, which has now been re-numbered C512/.

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Program One.