Provenance

Presented to Queen Victoria by Maori Chief Reihana on his visit to Osborne House, her residence on the Isle of Wight, England, in 1863. Queen Victoria recorded the meeting in her diary on 15 July 1863, describing '13 Chiefs and the 3 women, 2 of them wives of 2 of the Chiefs. They were half in native, half in European dress. The women wore silk petticoats with their strange cloaks of matting, & feathers in their hair. The men also had cloaks, some skins, thrown over them, carrying spears & hatchets, & feathers stuck in their hair. The greater number of the men were much tattooed, and the women, on their mouths.'

The Maori delegation had been brought to England by William Jenkins, a Wesleyan preacher who also served as an interpreter for the colonial government in New Zealand. His aim was to introduce his guests to the wealth and achievements of Britain, while conducting a lecture tour illustrated by indigenous performances. During the tour, the Maori party was received in honour by the Prince and Princess of Wales as well as the Secretary of State for the Colonies. However, disagreement with Jenkins over accommodation and the itinerary, and accusations that he was exploiting his guests, led to the eventual dissolution of the partnership.

This cloak was presented to Queen Victoria with another (RCIN 84606) and later displayed in the Swiss Cottage Museum at Osborne House.