Tivaevae

[1] Tivaevae are often given on very special occasions either to important visitors, as birthday and wedding gifts or used to cover the body of a loved one who has died.

Its value is said to be reflected by the love and patience that the creator(s) have put into making a stunning work of art.

[3] Artist Vereara Maeva-Taripo has described tivaevae as central to the identity of Cook Islands women.

Rongokea (1992) believes it to be an imported art form, and cites two sets of Christian missionaries in the 19th century as possible origins.

The appliqué style of tivaevae quilting appears to have been influence by Pennsylvanian German scherenschnitte or Victorian folded paper-cutting traditions.