Artwork Information

Angas's description:

"PLATE XXIV.

RANGITAKINA, A CHIEF OF THE BAY OF PLENTY.

THE annexed portrait represents one of the leading chiefs at the Bay of Plenty, on the East coast of the northern Island of New Zealand; his dress consists of a rich topuui, or war mat, of white dog's hair, with a deep black border, which is worn over a flax mat ornamented with tufts of dyed wool. Like most of the New Zealand chiefs, Rangitakina displays that dignity of carriage and nobility of deportment, for which these people are so remarkable - the proud and stately step - the slow, dignified carriage - the perfect ease and manly grace that is manifested in every action, added to the commanding figure of the individual, clad in the picturesque garb of his race, constitute him one of Nature's kings, and show that man, even in a savage state, is lord of the creation. The East coast swarms with natives, belonging chiefly to the Nga-ti-kahunis, and also to a division of the Nga-ti-awa tribe; the entire population of these districts cannot be less than 50,000."