1 of 253523 objects

Maori

Feather bag 1981

Feathers and flax | 23.0 x 30.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 32171

Grand Vestibule, Windsor Castle

Description

A Maori bag made of flax and kiwi feathers. The kiwi bird holds a special significance for the Maori - it is symbolic of elder brothers and sisters, representing their protective spirits. During a visit to New Zealand in October 1981, the Te Atiawa people of Waiwhetu presented The Queen with this bag made of flax and kiwi feathers.

Provenance

Presented to Queen Elizabeth II by the Atiawa People of Waiwhetu during her Commonwealth visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1981
People involved

Creator(s)

Search the collection Maori
(nationality)

Search the collection New Zealand
(place of production)

Acquirer(s)

Search the collection View the person page Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom (1926-2022)
Physical properties

Medium and techniques

Feathers and flax

kiwi feather, textiles

woven

Measurements

23.0 x 30.0 cm (whole object)
Groupings
Category
Costume, Uniforms & Accessories
Object type(s)
costume
costume accessories
bags (costume accessories)
handbags
Subject(s)
Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
Decorative motifs
Geometric patterns
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Zoology
Animals
Birds
Kiwis
Places

Place of Production

New Zealand

Featured in

HM the Queen jokes with local children who stand with their backs to camera and wearing white dresses. The Queen attended the Harris Agricultural Show during her one day visit to Montserrat in the West Indies.

Past
Exhibition

Exhibition

Queen and Commonwealth: The Royal Tour: Buckingham Palace

Gifts received by The Queen from the Commonwealth

photograph of current display in the Grand Vestibule

Trail

Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World

A display highlighting the interaction between the monarchy and the wider world

Quick Links

Official Royal Residences

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