IDNO

P.87344.VH

Description

Studio portrait of Kai Colo or Vitilevu Highlander - one of the men featured in P.4116.ACH1, q.v.
Circa 1869-1871. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

Cropped studio portrait of a seated untamed “big head” Kai Colo or Viti Levu highlander wearing a malo loincloth, and with his hairdressed in a traditional style that have yet, in their case, to be censored by the Wesleyans.
The man wears a batinivuaka boar tusk pendant with what looks like shell-beaded strings attached, and qato or lavei bracelets, cut from the sici or trochus shell, above the elbow. The man is seated in a studio chair and holding a club.
Circa 1869-1871. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003, from record P.4116.ACH1, updated JD 5/11/2011]

Physical Condition: Print mounted onto card.

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Ovalau Island; Levuka

Cultural Affliation

Kai Colo [historically Big Head Mountaineers]

Named Person

Photographer

Dufty Brothers, Levuka (Dufty, Francis Herbert)

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1869 - 1871

Collection Name

Von Hugel Collection

Source

Format

Carte-de-visite; Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.87343.VH to P.87351.VH were in the envelope now numbered C512/5/. This envelope came from the Museum’s paper archive envelope VH1/4/7, which has now been re-numbered C512/.

Bibliographical Reference: This man is most likely the model for R. Atkinson’s engraving of a Vitilevu mountain chief (see F.Clunie, Fijian Weapons & Warfare, plate 20). [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

Publication: A carte-de-visit of the same man ( (and duplicate of P.87204., P.99981.VH, and P.109436.) is held at the State Library of Victoria, reference H2005.34/1090, with the following information:
Title: [Studio portraits of Fijians by F. & A. Dufty, Fiji] [picture] / F. & A. Dufty.
Author/Creator: Dufty, F. & A.
Date(s): [ca. 1868-ca. 1885]
Description: 8 photographic prints on carte de visite mounts : albumen silver ; 11 x 7 cm.
Copyright status: This work is out of copyright.
Index terms: Australia; Francis and Alfred Dufty; studio portraits; Fiji; Fijians
Notes: Title assigned by cataloguer.
Dufty Bros. operated from Fiji between 1870's and 1880's. Ref.: Australians behind the camera, directory of early Australian photographers, 1841-1945 / Sandy Barrie, 2002.
Photographer printed on verso of H2005.34/1085-87, 1089: F. & A. Dufty / Photographers / Levuka / Fiji.
Photographer printed on verso of H2005.34/1085-88, 1090-92: F. & A. Dufty / Photographers / Levuka and Suva / Fiji.
Contents/Summary: Three men, two sitting, one in centre standing and holding a weapon shaped like a sword but made of wood, all whole-length, facing camera, in native costume
Source/Donor: Gift of Mr John Etkins; 2005.
[Source: http://search.slv.vic.gov.au, JD 12/3/2012]

Publication: This image is published on the websites ‘www.pictureaustralia.org’ and ‘www.nla.gov.au/catalogue/pictures/’. [A. Nadin, 2/7/2003]

Publication: A carte-de-visite of the same man (and duplicate of P.87204., P.99981.VH, and P.109436.) is also held at the National Library of Australia, reference nla.pic-an10975065-6, with the following information:
Creator: Dufty, Francis H., 1846-1910.
Title: Mountaineers from inland Viti Levu (Kai Colo people) [picture] / F.H. Dufty.
Date: between 1870 and 1879.
Extent: 1 photograph : carte de visite ; 8.6 x 5.5 cm., on mount 61 x 116.4 cm.
Context: Part of Dufty, Francis H., 1846-1910. Panorama of Levuka, Fiji, and portraits [picture]
Series: Panorama of Levuka, Fiji, and portraits.
Summary: The sitter is wearing a wig of human hair, a warrior's boar-tusk necklace, trochus shell armlets, and holds a waka rootstock club across his thighs.--Information provided by Dr. R. Ewins, RO8/102782.
Notes: Mounted with a montage of 5 albumen prints forming a panorama, and 11 other carte-de-visite portraits of Fijian and Tongan Chiefs and people.
[Source: www.nla.gov.au, JD 9/3/2012]

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