Kete, small with strap; 1898; Rangitikei; 046-1900-454-0001
FromWaimate Museum
Name/Title
Kete, small with strap
Kete, small with strap
About this object
This kete whītau/muka was made between 1880s and 1900s and can best be described as ‘fashion’ or dress items as they were intended to be used on social occasions where everybody would wear their “Sunday best” clothes. It has two tassels on either side of the strap. The kete is shaped like a half circle with two decorative sides with a fringe of flax around the sides and bottom.
In traditional Māori society, for almost every situation where a container was required, a weaver could manufacture a kete/basket to accommodate that need. For the softest or delicate baskets whītau/flax fibre was used. Whītau, also called muka in some districts, is obtained by stripping leaves of harakere/native flax by scraping with either the edge of a shell or more recently a blunt metal knife. This process exposes the fibres that run the length of the leaves, allowing them to be removed. Sometimes they are softly beaten and/or washed before use.
This kete whītau/muka was made between 1880s and 1900s and can best be described as ‘fashion’ or dress items as they were intended to be used on social occasions where everybody would wear their “Sunday best” clothes. It has two tassels on either side of the strap. The kete is shaped like a half circle with two decorative sides with a fringe of flax around the sides and bottom.
In traditional Māori society, for almost every situation where a container was required, a weaver could manufacture a kete/basket to accommodate that need. For the softest or delicate baskets whītau/flax fibre was used. Whītau, also called muka in some districts, is obtained by stripping leaves of harakere/native flax by scraping with either the edge of a shell or more recently a blunt metal knife. This process exposes the fibres that run the length of the leaves, allowing them to be removed. Sometimes they are softly beaten and/or washed before use.
Date Made
1898
1898
Subject and Association Keywords
Kete
Flax
Rangitikei
Kete
Flax
Rangitikei
Subject and Association Description
Made by the Rangitikei Maori about 1889.
Made by the Rangitikei Maori about 1889.
Medium and Materials
Flax
Flax
Technique
Weaving
Weaving
Measurements
Width: 180mm
Length: 200mm
Width: 180mm
Length: 200mm
Collection
Maori: Taonga Collection
Maori: Taonga Collection
Credit Line
Presented by Mrs A F Palmer
Presented by Mrs A F Palmer
Object number
046-1900-454-0001
046-1900-454-0001
Tags
eHive copyright disclaimer
It is the responsibility of the eHive Account Holder to gain copyright clearance for any images or content published on eHive. If you are concerned about the copyright status for any content in eHive or would like more information on using or ordering copies of content, please contact the Account Holder of that content. If you would like more information on our copyright policy, click here.
© 2013
Vernon Systems Ltd