Artist unknown :Case of tangi mode of salutation. [ca 1860-1863]

Shows a group of Maori, two of whom are seated on the ground, engaged in a hongi with each other. Both wear long robes. Behind them stands a middle-aged Maori man with facial moko, holding a long staff. He wears a blue cloak, and a black cap on his head. At the left a child in a short tunic stands smoking a pipe. The child and two of the other figures wear earrings. The figures are placed in front of the premises of Isaac McEwan, baker, of Shortland Street, Auckland.

Isaac McEwan died in 1863, but the bakery may have continued. However, the date of 1860-1863 may be most likely.

Other Titles - Hongi

The title is written in ink on the paper on which the watercolour is mounted. It may not be in the hand of the artist.

The watercolour paper has ink handwriting on the verso. The partially deciphered text reads: "...for meeting the parties commonly clasp hands ... laying nose to nose sometimes standing at other [times] crouching down remain in that attitude for some minutes and then gravely [take? their?] departure. There are two places in the town they seem particularly to affect, one is that above shown, the shop of Mr McEwan the baker, another the __yard arms of the [?Lonigans coaster shop/ship?], the third the corner of S[hortland? and Queen?] street"

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour, 150 x 150 mm, mounted on album page, originally 380 x 255 mm

Provenance: Previously owned in Australia, probably Adelaide.

Alternative form available: Scanned from original