French Polynesian Pāreu
Object detail
Accession number
2022.2.1
Production period
Description
French Polynesian Pāreu.
Red cotton Pāreu decorated with large white flowers and cursive text. A white vine runs sown each of the long sides of the Pāreu, framing the inner design. The text printed reads "Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete / Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete". The back of the Pāreu is a mirror image of the front.
Red cotton Pāreu decorated with large white flowers and cursive text. A white vine runs sown each of the long sides of the Pāreu, framing the inner design. The text printed reads "Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete / Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete". The back of the Pāreu is a mirror image of the front.
Brief History
This French Polynesian Pāreu was collected by Keith Philip during one of his trips around the Pacific Islands in 1955 and 1957 with Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL). Philip used his earnings from farm work to go on these trips with a friend. The Coral Route linked New Zealand with Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Tahiti. Collected items from the Coral Route highlighted a growing aero tourism industry and sharing of Pacific cultures. TEAL used Solent flying boats, clearing coral reef to create a tourist experience where islands were previously inaccessible by air.
Marks
Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete / Moorea / Tahiti / Papeete / Raiatea / Tahiti / Raiatea / Moorea / Papeete Printed
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
French Polynesian Pāreu, 2022.2.1. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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