Tīvaevae 'Ina and the shark' (embroidered quilt)
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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Tīvaevae - Treasured quilts Tīvaevae are treasured quilts made by women in the Cook Islands. Tīvaevae are made from brightly coloured fabrics, and designs can include geometric shapes, flower and animal designs - though animal or bird shapes are considered unlucky on a bedspread. While tīvaevae serve a practical purpose, they are used as decorations and, more importantly, presented as gifts at important occasions such as weddings, funerals, pakoti'anga rauru (boy's haircutting ceremonies), receptions for church ministers and, among New Zealand Cook Islanders, 21st birthday parties, gifts to VIPs and dearly loved people in the family and the community. Missionary InfluenceTīvaevae are believed to have been introduced to the Cook Islands by the wives of early European missionaries, who taught quilting and needlework. It is thought that patchwork quilts came first, and appliqué and embroidered quilts later. It did not take long for this imported art form to take on a uniquely Cook Island appearance, with bright, vibrant tivaevae motifs such as flowers and plants reflecting the natural environment of the Cook Islands. Making TīvaevaeWhen making tīvaevae, while some women work alone, many work together to sew their quilts in women's groups called va'ine tini, which meet to share ideas and sing as they work. They are similar to the Tongan koka'anga and other women's work parties found throughout the Pacific Islands. There are four main kinds of tīvaevae. Tivaevae ta'orei (patchwork), have a large number of small patches sewn together to form a pattern. Tīvaevae manu (appliqué) and Tīvaevae tataura (embroidered appliqué), have designs sewn to a backing cloth. Tīvaevae tuiauri are sewn on the sewing machine. Acquisition History This tīvaevae was purchased by Richard Walter on behalf of Museum. It was manufactured on commission for the Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development to celebrate the opening of the Cultural Centre on Rarotonga, 1992.
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Details
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Title
Tīvaevae 'Ina and the shark' (embroidered quilt)
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Maker
Mrs Maria Teokotai, Iva Cecil, Agnes Winchester, No’o Ngatuakana, Ake Mateariki, Mata Andrew, Nga Ponini, Aue Brown, Suzanne Mo'o
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Date made
circa 1990
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Subject
Textiles, cotton, quilts, ceremonial objects, embroidery, Cook Islands, Polynesian, Oceanic, Aitutaki Islander, Quilts, embroidering, Aitutaki Atoll, Rarotonga, Mrs Maria Teokotai, Iva Cecil, Agnes Winchester, No’o Ngatuakana, Ake Mateariki, Mata Andrew, Nga Ponini, Aue Brown, Suzanne Mo'o
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Rights
All Rights Reserved
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Location
Cable Street, Wellington
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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
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