Chief Te Hira Te Kawau Painting by Ray Dawson

Oil On Canvas

For the first time available to the market since it's purchase in the early 80s from a gallery, is this beautiful one off painting from the renowned artist Ray J Dawson!

This is a special, stunning piece to be admired by the new owner.

'Chief Te Kawau' was part of Rays' solo exhibition of 1978, which comprised of a collection of 'oil on canvas' portraits of significant Maori dignitaries from early New Zealand history.

Tracing his descent to the Mahuhu waka, Te Hira Te Kawau was a high-born chief of Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), who took part in many land sales with the Crown.

Te Hira Te Kawau lived most of his life at Okahu and was a rangatira of Ngati Whatua.

His father was Apihai Te Kawau, who signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 20 March 1840 at Orakei, and his mother was Kirepiro of Te Taou.

Te Hira is known mostly for his forming part of a small group of chiefs, including his father Apihai and his cousin Paora Tuhaere, described as 'leaders of the dominant groups within Ngati Whatua … [who] had the mana to decide what happened to most of the Ngati Whatua lands during these years'. Upon the death of his father, the mantle of paramount chief of Ngati Whatua went to Paora Tuhaere.

Our family contacted Ray himself a few years back, and he authenticated the painting as his own work. Another of Ray Dawson's pieces also from this same short series sold in the last five years for $35,000 at an Auckland gallery.

This is a fantastic investment and the focal point of any room!

No photos can do this painting justice.

Measurements: Inside frame: 30cm wide, 40cm high. Outside frame: 55cm wide, 63cm high.

This item is located in Napier, Hawkes Bay.

We welcome any questions!

Happy Bidding :-)