IDNO

P.87316.VH

Description

Studio photograph of a "Ra Coast Fijian" and a "Solomon Boy", presumably an imported plantation labourer from the Solomons, though he is dressed like a Fijian. Ra essentially covers northeastern Vitilevu.
Right: The Fijian is dressed in Christian war or ceremonial dress, with a white barkcloth ivauvau headwrapping, a white barkcloth iwabale shoulder sash, broad white barkcloth waist wrapping, and a liku overskirt over his malo loincloth, the last distinguishing him from the followers of the Fijian religion. Beaded vesa wrappings brace his leg muscles below the knee. He is holding a waka rootstock war club.
Left: The "Solomon Boy" at left is also got up as a Fijian chief, but wears a flamboyantly patterned isulu instead of the malo and liku. He has two ?hibiscus flowers in his hair, and has a small white cowrie shell tied at his throat in the Fijian way, and is holding an iuladrisia throwing club. Notice the photographer’s clamps.
Circa 1875-1876. [Fergus Clunie, 26/7/2003]

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Oceania Melanesia; Fiji; Solomon Islands; Ovalau Island; northeastern Vitilevu; Ra; ?Levuka

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Dufty Brothers, Levuka

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1875 - 1876

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 27/12/2011]

Photographer: This image was previously provisionally attributed to Dufty, but the chair, and studio wall with skirting board are identifiable as being of Francis Dufty’s studio, Levuka. (Compare with P.70157.ACH2.) [JD 28/3/2012]

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