Hawai'i
Feathers and fibers
In wooden frame: 66 cm

Provenance:
Given as a gift to Queen Liliuokalani (1838-1917), the last queen of Hawai'i, and her husband, John Owen Dominis, the Governor of Oahu
Sybil Francis Kaolaokalani O Liliukalani Dominis Schuh Silver, Hawai'iSybil Liliukalani Schuh Marvick Collection, Hawai'i
Sotheby's, New York, Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, 19 May 2001, lot 69
Bonhams, New York, Fine African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art, 13 May 2010, lot 2026
Property from a Princely collection

Lei Hulu or feather ornaments like this exceptional piece were strictly reserved for the Hawai'ian royal families and highest-ranking aristocrats. This one was given to Queen Liliuokalani (1838-1917), the last queen of Hawai'i.
Lei hulu were believed to ensure the protection of tutelary deities and spirits and were a symbol of prestige, status, and identity. They were worn on top of the head and were the only feather adornments that women were allowed to wear.
The yellow feathers used for this lei hulu are from the o'o (Moho nobilis), a species of bird that became extinct by the end of the 19th century, and the red feathers at the terminals are from the 'i'iwi (Vestiaria coccinea).