Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2017.89.1,

This shells on this kiekie are 'pueki' shells which are only found on Eua Island in Tonga. As these shells are time consuming to gather and to clean and so pueki shell waist garments, purses and hangings are very rarely made today. It is rare to see an example such as this, which is fairly old, in such good condition.

Tongan

Pre 1936

cowrie shell/seashell/shell

hibiscus (fibre)/plant fibre/natural fibre/fibre

1600mm

330mm

Kiekie. A shell and hibiscus fibre waist garment. This kiekie is of natural colouring. The shells are strung into a hibiscus fibre lattice. There is a knotted hibiscus fibre waistband and hibiscus fibre fringe overlaying the shell-work. The kiekie is complete and intact. There is some loss of shells and some breakage of the fibre latticework. Some of the lost shells have been retained and were presented at acquisition.

Ornament, Waist

Body Adornment

Ornament

Personal Artefacts

20 Sep 2019