Alexander, James Edward (Sir) 1803-1885 :Proposed Maori Rangers / J. E. Alexander, Col., XIV Regt, 1861.

Two men, one seated, one standing, clad in Zouave-style (North African) uniforms with blue fez with a red tassle, short red collarless jackets, blue shirts and baggy blue knickerbockers, brown stockings and ankle-length boots. The seated man on the left, holding a taiaha, is on a slab of stone, with two palm trees behind him, possibly intended to be nikau. The standing man is holding a rifle. On the right is a toitoi in flower. There is a bay and low hills beyond the two men, probably Auckland Harbour with Rangitoto Island in the background.

The type of uniform shown was never adopted for Maori soldiers

The artist partook in the Waikato and Taranaki campaigns of the New Zealand Wars, 1860-1863. He wrote two books about the wars in New Zealand and in his "Bush Fighting. Illustrated by Remarkable Actions and Incidents of the Maori War in New Zealand" (London, 1873), Chapter 1, he makes suggestions about the ideal uniforms for bush fighters; he also (p. 14) mentions that "[Maori] look best in their native attire. I tried to introduce for the men the kilt and knickerbockers, instead of trousers, where I was stationed. Of course I did not venture to suggest changes in the ladies' costumes."

Quantity: 1 watercolour(s).

Physical Description: Watercolour and sepia wash over pencil 162 x 247 mm

Provenance: Probably purchased in London in the 1930s by the Pyecroft family, of Auckland. Sold in the early 1970s to art dealer Brian Groshinski, then of Wellington, and later of Auckland and Melbourne.