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| FIG. 51. |
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| FIG. 52. |
The New Zealanders use the herring-bone, broad bands, and triangular markings, but these are subordinate to the loop-coil, which is prominent in all their decorations. The He Taiaha, or staff of office of a chief (of which I have two very old specimens), is thus carved.—(Fig. 51.) Their canoes and paddles often show these lines.—(Fig. 52.) They imitate the human figure, and grotesque faces and figures appear on their canoes, paddles, and indeed on all things that they carve. Eyes are invariably represented by rings made of the shell of the haliotis.
Many of their works of art are very beautiful. The patterns are intricate, the lines deep, and the style bold. In those that are elaborately decorated the effect is rich, calling to mind very often that of the markings on crustaceans and the shell of the tortoise. The posts of their pahs, their houses, their canoes and weapons, and their boxes, are minutely carved; and though they use but few patterns, these are so adroitly placed as to produce very pleasing contrasts.
The Fijians use such figures as these for their weapons.—(Fig. 53.)
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| FIG. 53. |
Their cloaks usually exhibit the following lines.— (Fig. 54.)
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| FIG. 54. |
Their pottery is embellished, and almost in such a manner as to suggest that the devices may have originated in the indentations made on soft clay by
