Cape (clothing)

29-58-156

From: Hawaiian Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number 29-58-156
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Hawaiian
Provenience Hawaiian Islands
Date Made 19th century
Section Oceanian
Materials Feather | Plant Fiber
Description

Cape consisting of bundles of yellow, red, and black feathers tied in overlapping rows to a netted foundation made of plant fiber (Touchardia latifollia). Mainly yellow, with single large red crescent and small black and red triangles at the shoulders. Red feathers came from the scarlet honey creeper (Vestiaria coccinea) and a crimson and black honey creeper (Himatione sanguinea). Yellow feathers came from a black honey eater with yellow tufts under each wing (Acrulocercus spp.) or a black honey creeper with yellow feathers above and below the tail (Drepanis pacifica). Aristocratic regalia, worn only by men.

Length 37 cm
Width 75 cm
Credit Line Purchased from W. O. Oldman, 1921

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