Kahu huruhuru (Feather Cloak)
Current rights
See full details
Object detail
Description
Mᾱ te huruhuru, ka rere te manu
With feathers the bird will fly
A cloak made of pigeon feathers. Kahuhuruhuru featuring long triangular shapes in two rows worked in Kereru and Kaka feathers. A row of Kiwi feathers are worked above each row of patterned feathers. The cloak is hand woven with Whenu ( warp) threads joined together with Aho ( weft) threads worked in Whatu aho rua ( double pair twining) The weave count is five Aho per cm and 9-10mm Ara spacing between rows. Kereru, Kaka, fowl and Kiwi feathers are attached to the Kaupapa ( base of the cloak) within the whatu weft rows. The kereru, kaka and fowl feathers are arranged in two rows of triangular shapes. Kiwi feathers are worked in two horizontal bands above the triangular patterns. A narrow side border of orange feathers is worked down the sides of the cloak. The cloak has a rolled top edge. Lengths of slighted rolled Muka extend from the top corners. A length of black satin ribbon was found with the cloak and appears to be part of one of the two pieces of black ribbon that are each knotted to lengths of unplied muka which are threaded through the top edge of the cloak. (The length of ribbon is retained in a plastic bag). A length of yellow and brown plaited wool is tied at one point to the top rolled edge.
With feathers the bird will fly
A cloak made of pigeon feathers. Kahuhuruhuru featuring long triangular shapes in two rows worked in Kereru and Kaka feathers. A row of Kiwi feathers are worked above each row of patterned feathers. The cloak is hand woven with Whenu ( warp) threads joined together with Aho ( weft) threads worked in Whatu aho rua ( double pair twining) The weave count is five Aho per cm and 9-10mm Ara spacing between rows. Kereru, Kaka, fowl and Kiwi feathers are attached to the Kaupapa ( base of the cloak) within the whatu weft rows. The kereru, kaka and fowl feathers are arranged in two rows of triangular shapes. Kiwi feathers are worked in two horizontal bands above the triangular patterns. A narrow side border of orange feathers is worked down the sides of the cloak. The cloak has a rolled top edge. Lengths of slighted rolled Muka extend from the top corners. A length of black satin ribbon was found with the cloak and appears to be part of one of the two pieces of black ribbon that are each knotted to lengths of unplied muka which are threaded through the top edge of the cloak. (The length of ribbon is retained in a plastic bag). A length of yellow and brown plaited wool is tied at one point to the top rolled edge.
Production place
New Zealand
Accession number
0079/83
Current rights
