The Arts Of
p. 93 · Read in the full issue
The Maori
The Decorative Arts of the New Zealand Maori, by Dr. T.
Barrow, is a companion-piece to Birds of New Zealand (reviewed September). It comes from the same publisher, the colour printing is very good indeed, and it, too, was printed in Japan.
It is obvious that the Japanese can show others a few wrinkles when it comes to productions of this sort.
Dr. Barrow is responsible for Maori and Pacific collections in the Dominion Museum, Wellington, and has travelled widely in the Pacific; the 140 photographs in the book come from many sources, including the author himself.
The six decorative arts of classic Maori culture are tattoo ing, rafter-painting, weaving of cloak borders, plaiting of coloured elements in baskets and mats; lattice-work house-panels; and carving of wood, bone and stone. Carving is the best known of these arts and has widest application.
(The Decorative Arts Of The
NZ MAORI. Published by A. H. & A. W. Reed Pty. Ltd. 30/-.)