IDNO

P.87308.VH

Description

Studio photograph of two respectably but not festively dressed Fijian chiefs. To the right stands “Ratu Seru, Bauan, Father, Nayagodamu, alias Komaiqaranivalu” [Komainaqaranivalu is a title rather than a personal name and means “He from the Cave-of-War”, the latter being the name of Nayagodamu’s yavu, or house mound], an officer of the Armed Native Constabulary. To the left sits “Ratu Sakiusa”, with what looks like a small shell pendant at his throat, and wearing a broad-necked, three-quarter length sleeve, ?red trimmed, white pullover shirt, with a broad leather belt and a spotted isulu wrap-around skirt. Levuka, early to mid 1870s. [Fergus Clunie, 26/7/2003]

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Ovalau Island; Levuka; Bau

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Ratu Seru; Ratu Sakiusa

Photographer

Dufty, Francis Herbert (Dufty Brothers, Levuka)

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1870 - 1875

Collection Name

Von Hugel Collection

Source

Format

Carte-de-visite; Print Black & White Mounted

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/.

Related Image: This print or negative appears to be a unique image within the MAA Photograph Collections. [JD 26/12/2011]

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Program One. [A. Nadin, 2/7/2003]