Tivaevae Quilts at Te Papa

Fancy a trip to Wellington?  There is still time to visit the exhibition of tivaevae quilts, “Out of the Glory Box” currently on show at Te Papa Museum.  Situated up on Level 5, with free entry, this is a stunning exhibition indeed in a riot of bright colours.  The quilts are hung down both sides of a light and airy long gallery, with still more hanging on rods from the ceiling.    Cook Islands tivaevae (quilts) are cultural treasures, painstakingly hand-sewn and often stored for safekeeping in family glory boxes.  Many of these quilts were presented as gifts to family members and reflects the vibrant cultural life of the Cook Islands

Over-view of the exhibition

The quilts on show had plenty of the expected Hawaiin style showing cut out floral designs which were appliqued onto a background fabric.      THis tivaevae tataura (applique embroidered quilt) has appliued hibiscus and orchid flowers, reminders of a tropical homeland.  The maker is unknown.

Colourful quilt featuring hibiscus and orchid flowers

Two colour tivaevae manu (applique quilts) are the quickest to make.  The quilter folds and cuts a piece of fabric into a symmetrical pattern.  Then this is unfolded and stitched onto a contrasting background, using an invisible stitch.  The taro leaf design was stitched in 1980s, maker unknown.

 

Two colour taro leaf design

Stitched by Jasmine Underhill in 1987, this lovely two colour quilt features the puarata flower, related to our pohutakawa tree.  The motif was designed by Jasmine’s aunt.

Two colour quilt showing the puarata flower

Unexpectardly, pieced quilts were also on show.    I did not realise that tivaevae quilts were also made from patchwork pieces, and as I read, are the most highly prized of all the Cook Islands quilts.  Mothers often present them as gifts of love to their daughters on their wedding day – with the understanding that the quilt will one day be used as a funeral shroud for the daughter’s husband.    These tivaevae ta’orei (patchwork quilts) require careful mathematical planning.  Quilter Paree Ringiao tells how she threaded hundreds of diamond shaped pieces of fabric onto a string, in a precise sequence.  Then she pulled them off one by one and carefully stitched them together, helped by her mother-in-law. 

Star quilt, stitched by Paree Ringiao, 1950s

This is just a taste of course, there are many more beauties on display as well.  Don’t miss this exhibition – you could combine it with a visit to the exceptional “Gallipoli – the Scale of our War” exhibition which is also showing.