RELICS OF THE HISTORICAL ART OF THE MAORI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 57

RELICS OF THE HISTORICAL ART OF THE MAORI.

Bt Major Robley.

(See illustrations elsewhere in this iesue.) Moko (tatoo, tattoo, tatu) was first described and illustrated by Cook in his first voyage in 1769. By him it was called amoco, his rendering of the native term. This collection, which contains no less than 30 specimens of tatued heads, besides several implements connected with tatuing, is the only one existing which shows this remarkable and historic ornamentation of the old Maori artists in all their skill and style. The examples exceed in number those to be found in the combined museums of New Zealand, the British museum, Jardin dcs Piantes, the royal museums of Berlin and Vienna, the national museums of Washington, Rome, Sydney, and others, and it is thus, indeed, unique and irreplacable. That the ancient inhabitants of Britain dyed their skin with woad is little more than a tradition — no knowledge or specimen of their art remains ; and so it must prove with the aboriginal dwellers in New Zealand unless care be taken. Illustrations and descriptions may remain, but neithor can so faithfully depict the features and accompaniments of a lost art as the true specimen itself. Already much has been lost regarding the \alue and .signification of the various tatu lines, for when the old Maori disappeared under the tide of an advanoing civilisation the key of this knowledge was buried with him. Neither wo nor the modern Maori can penetrate the veil of

imagery and allegory enveloping the various patterns, or the principles on which th.'^ moko of one chief .differs from that . of another. In Maori mythology there ie the visit of Mataora to Spiritla'nd, when the ordinary, punctured marks on hjs face 'were ' removed) ( by magic power, and in their place ho was adorned with the chiselled - spirals •' and! arabasques which tatu workers have faithfully copied in general, and which were common enough when Cook visited New Zealand. A custom . so elaborate must surely have grown up slowly through' many generations, and have been'' carried to a point of perfection which never failed to attract the visitor : who was fortunate enough to regain his ship. '" " , " - " ! Captain Cook's companion (Banks) wrote:; "It is impossible to avoid admiring the extreme elegance and justness of the" figures traced, . which on the face are always different spirals, and upon the Jbody different figures, resembling somewhat tho foliages of old chasing upon gold and silver. AH these are finished with a masterly taste ■ and execution, for of a hundred which afc first sight would be judged to btf exactly, the same, no two .on clcse_^examinatior* ' proved alike, nor do- I remember ' to ; htiv& seen any two alike." It is astonishing to see de-signs so \merringly correct -marked oii 'the Irving "human: ' face by such' a painful process as' the native artist adopted. Though, the, work- was* done at different iifnes, owing 7 to fcKe terrible ! pain inflicted and the 'impossibility, of completing the process in. one sitting, the.« symmetry was, nevertheless, preserved, a»* is evident in these numerous -examples. Their ;in©thod - of ,tatuing -by,^means' of tapping into the skin narrow", bone, chisels, dipped in charcoal dyes, and so -making -veafy-'' deep blue-black grooves,, has. nothing ' in" j common with -the mode of tatuing in other ! parts of the world, which- leave the skin , smooth. *■ • I Tho old Maori race took an artist's pride 1 in" this work, and as. tho result was npfc easily accomplished, it was highly ■ prized i when completed. Such old ornamentation,, every -line of which remains distinct on the heads, can never be again obtained. These moko mokai, as they were called, were a badge or proof of Ihe nobility .of the owner, and the well-tatued head of a chief who had v fallen in native battle formed a much- valued snoil of war. Dating from almost the earliest .intercourse with European sailors, a -trade sprang up in the sale and purchase of these heads, and continue^ until the stringent Sydney, act of 1831 stopped the remarkable barter. . i From, that date, therefore, it has been only I possible to gather together these rare speci-. , meus by patiently watching through a- long" I series of, years for the breaking up. of private , I collections, or,- taking advantage of some unusual chance ; and this is the plan that has been followed in this 'instance. . ' Experience .prove 3 that as the years go . by it becomes increasingly difficult to procure old native curiosities, and sometimes impossible. . . ; 1 New Zealand has been gradually, depleted! . of its 'meet .notable,, and interesting^ relies;^ > during the last 133, years, and 'though!. 'th^' , Government has recently, forbidden the,:sal*- > for exportation of all' such objects,- visitor^;j to the ace .deprived „of, x a -greafc-.v i source of interest and, instruction, when. they, ! find so ,few of. its historical relics ( in. />thfi./ museum. ■ ,' ' "•-■ , H. — ' IJ ' - The -time is approaching wnen,the history of Maori^ tatu- has to be .taken from the., dried specimens, which range" from" 1770 to about 1831. _ < . Never previously have they .been so carefully classified and arranged. Hitherto a dried and tatued head has been, that and nothing more. . „ ' I quote authorities amongst, many who encouraged my quest and recording: — • Ist December, 1894. From the, Right Hon. Lord Avebury : "It is most important to preserve a'tl evidence of a life which is rapidly disappearing." _ 4th December, 1894. From Sir George Grey. P. 0., etc., etc. : "I think your iJOhisj trations valuable on the art which is- rapidly passing away apd will soon be forgotten. • 26th March, 1895. From -le Directeur dv . Museum d'Histoire Naturelle,. Paris: "Gef tefces preparees sont devenues fort raree." "Sont dcs souvenirs dcs voyages historiques." 17th January, 1898. From A. Hamilton, j Esq., Registrar University of Otago : "If ! you go on acquiring specimens at the, rate ! you are now doing you will have a 'most ! unique and precious exhibit, which will > ' tempt many museum authorities." .' 4th June, 1898. From General Pit* - Rivers: "I think also that your collection., being the only one remaining remnant of. an extinct art, ought ,to be ,kept together.", From Dr Hocken, of Dunedin, June^7, _ 1 1902 : "Not only is your collection unique, ! but it typifies a branch of savage art that is most interesting, and one which has now almost wholly disappeared." * The Magazine of Art for October, 1897, speaking of this collection. Hays : "Savage art, primitive as it necessarily is, and doomed to extinction ac civilisation advances, is of great and abiding interest ; and the thanks of the community are due to anyone who sets on record its achievements."