Vintage albumen ca. 1880 showing seven Maori woman in native costume, titled "Maori Beauties" in the negative. Archivally remounted. (T) Print size 7.25 x 5.5 inches (19x14 cm). Price: $850. ( Inventory# ha85 )
A rich view of seven Maori (New Zealand) natives in their finest Sunday wear, including very intriguing hats, ceremonial paddles and a striped garment woven from bird's feathers.
Through its surprisingly friendly atmosphere this image jumps out of traditional ethnographic ruts and presents us with at least one very blasé Maori beauty. Seated front center, she would be completely at home as the bored bargirl in Manet's "Bar aux Folies-Bergère" - were it not for her feather clothing and distinctively Maori party hat.