Robley: Te Ropere, 1840—1930
This sketch — appended to the foot of a letter — details Robley's understanding of the order in which the designs of moko were usually applied. He arranged his Mokamokai in accordance with this progression, the least tattooed being labelled No 1 and so on. This meant that at each new addition to the Collection the numbering system had to be altered. Because of this, drawings of the same Mokamokai — sketched over a number of years — may bear a wide range of numerical classifications. — Alexander…
This sketch — appended to the foot of a letter — details Robley's understanding of the order in which the designs of moko were usually applied. He arranged his Mokamokai in accordance with this progression, the least tattooed being labelled No 1 and so on. This meant that at each new addition to the Collection the numbering system had to be altered. Because of this, drawings of the same Mokamokai — sketched over a number of years — may bear a wide range of numerical classifications.
Alexander Turnbull Library Robley-Mair: qMS/1898–1922