[Merrett, Joseph Jenner] 1815-1854 :[Six Maori. A chiefly young couple, an older man, a further young couple and a squatting woman. ca. 1846]

A group of six Maori, around a central couple. The central couple are wearing finely woven cloaks with coloured borders, and a variety of personal adornments. The figure identified (probably wrongly) as Hone Heke has extensive moko, two feathers in his hair, and holds a carved chisel with a handle and feathers. The woman on his left, supposedly Hariata, is young and has short wavy hair, several feathers in her hair, and a pom-pom cloak. She holds a gourd in her left hand. Behind 'Hone Heke' on the left of the the view is a white-haired man in a flax rain-cape, holding a taiaha. Behind 'Hariata' on the right of the view is a young couple, the man with his arm around the woman's neck, with another woman crouching in front, a pipe in her mouth. These three are all dressed in flax rain capes.

On the verso is A-255-003 [Christ carrying the cross by J J Merrett].

Identification of subjects: The basis of the identification of the subjects as including Hone Heke and Hariata is unknown. The moko of the main male figure bears no resemblance to that shown in other portraits of Heke by Merrett; 'Hariata' in this view is shown with no moko, and with shorter and more curly hair than in other portraits by Merrett. There are no inscriptions on the work in the hand of the artist.

Other Titles - [Hone Heke and his wife Harriet with four attendants. ca 1846. Former title]

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour 285 x 225 mm