IDNO

P.99855.VH

Description

Labelled “Ratu Kini, Nadroga”, but is it Ro Matanitobua, Tui Namosi, shorn and Christianised? See P.87205, P.4098.ACH1. [Fergus Clunie, 14/7/2003]

“Dufty studio portrait of ‘Ratu Kini’, his right ear lobe, pierced and stretched to accept a since forsaken saunidaliga ear lobe ornament, shows that he grew up in the Fijian religion just as much as his clothing and hairstyle show him to be a Christian convert. He is wearing the collarless long-sleeved striped shirt popular with chiefs at the time, and wears a barkcloth isulu secured by a large gatu barkcloth waistband secured just beneath the ribs in the Tongan fashion favoured by chiefs when not actively engaged, and favoured by Christianity.
Circa 1875-1876.” [Fergus Clunie, 26/7/2003, from record P.87205, JD 27/10/2011]

Physical Condition: Print mounted onto card.

Place

Oceania Polynesia; Fiji; Ovalau Island; Levuka

Cultural Affliation

Kai Colo [historically Big Head Mountaineers]

Named Person

Ratu Kini; ?Ro Matanitobua

Photographer

Dufty Brothers, Levuka

Collector / Expedition

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Date

circa 1875 - 1876

Collection Name

von Hügel Collection

Source

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron)

Format

Print Black & White Mounted

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.99726.VH to P.100050.VH were in the belted folder now numbered C539/3/. This was formerly kept in paper archive Large Box G; VH1/4/5. It has now been transferred to the photo archive. The lists describing the contents of this box have been returned to the Paper Archive.

Photographer: Dufty’s Levuka studio is recognisable in the uncropped duplicate print, P.87205, through his use of the sideboard with a plainer and paler base (see P.87333.VH for same? sideboard with darker decorative scroll work and leaves? added to it). The sideboard is normally positioned to the left of the studio. The brocade curtain patterned with a floral design framed by a diamond-shaped outline is also distinct to Dufty’s Levuka studio. This configuration of studio props appears to be used by Dufty between circa 1874 - 1876. The Photographer, Date, and Place fields have been amended accordingly. [JD 13/3/2012]

This print has been catalogued with the support of the Getty Grant Fund. [A. Nadin, 10/9/2003]