Tivaevae

Cook Islands

royal blue and yellow with floral decoration (2)

Measurements:: approx. 300 x 600 cm
Provenance:: The Estate of Ray Hughes
Reference:: Tivaevae or Tivaivai are valuable quilts presented as gifts at important family life events such as weddings, funerals, pakoti'anga rauru (boy's haircutting ceremonies), etc. Tivaivai mark and depict these very special occasions through their designs Many Tivaivai are made collectively by groups of women called va'ine tini. The va'ine tini use this time together to meet, share ideas and sing as they work
Literature:: Cf. for comparison Jane Catherine Horan, Tivaivai in the Cook Islands Ceremonial Economy: an Analysis of Value, p. 3-38