Eisteddfod's Maori Chair At The National Library Of Wales

Tue, 06 Mar 07 09:10:00

Two New Zealanders who play for the Llanelli Scarlets rugby team will visit the National Library of Wales on 5 March to give their view on a special Eisteddfodic Chair.

Deacon Manu (who has been capped by the Maori rugby team) and Regan King will inspect the Chair and help inform Library staff of the significance of the Maori motifs as well as touch a little part of New Zealand which is now a part of Wales.

A bardic Chair is awarded for the best poem in traditional strict-meter cynghanedd at an eisteddfod and is one of Wales's unique iconic visual objects. This particular Chair was won at the Caernarfon National Eisteddfod in 1935 by the Reverend E Gwyndaf Evans (1913-1986) for his poem 'Magdalen', the youngest poet ever to have won that honour and the first ode in cynghanedd not to use the traditional strict metres.

 

The chair has a particularly unusual history: carved and designed in New Zealand using authentic Maori symbols, it was presented by the Welsh exiles of New Zealand in honour of Lady Bledisloe (Alina Kate Elaine Cooper-Smith née Jenkins), the wife of the Governor General and the first Welshwoman to work in the diplomatic service in that country, between 1930 and 1935.

It was carved by Maori craftsmen from the wood of the Tatara tree with decorative eyes from the Paua shell and the presentation plaque made from Pounamu. It is testimony to the rich patronage of Lord and Lady Bledisloe of Maori art and culture and the appreciation of Welsh New Zealanders of their achievements whilst in office. The Bledisloe Cup for Rugby was presented by them in 1931 and is still contested by the Wallabies and the All Blacks.

It was Gwyndaf's wish that this chair and his portrait as Archdruid of Wales should be presented to the National Library. Both these items have now been transferred to Aberystwyth following the death of Mrs Evans his widow, by their children.

The National Library of Wales has also contacted colleagues at the National Library of New Zealand to learn more about the significance of the images.

The Chair is exhibited at the Peniarth Room, which also houses the 100: The Library's Century exhibition part of the Library's many exhibitions and events to celebrate its centenary in 2007. The Library was founded on 19 March 1907.

BBC Wales: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/6419395.stm

For More Information And Images:
Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 632902 sij@llgc.org.uk