82 by 85in (208.3 x 216cm)
Plain woven cotton, hand dyed, hand appliqué and contour quilting

Provenance:
Emma Nakuina (1847-1929), first curator of the Hawaiian National Museum, forerunner to the Bishop Museum
Thence by descent

"The breadfruit tree serves many functions in Hawai'i. It is used for shade, food and wooden objects and is a significant design source for Hawaiian quilts. In reference to the beginnings of Hawaiian quilting, one often hears the story of a woman who upon seeing the shadow of breadfruit leaves cast upon a sheet, traced the outlines, cut it out, and appliquéd the pattern to a plain backing. It is believed that from this prototype, the bold, vegetative Hawaiian quilt designs flourished. It is also told that if the first quilt one makes is of the breadfruit pattern, one's talents will be abundant." (Brandon, The Hawaiian Quilt, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1993, p 106)