Can you tell by this dress what year this was taken?

[aboutime]

I am new to this and am not sure if you identified this lady but I can, she is my 6 x grandmother. Her name is Hinerara Whitaker nee Potatau, she is also known as Betty and Peti and was born between around 1834 to 1847.    I understand that this photo was taken when she was around 100 years old and totally blind. 
You have had queries on the Whitaker connection previously I see. 

I am happy to help where I can. 

[Ruskie]

Maybe KiwiGirl will be able to confirm if the subject appears to be blind?

My impression is that this woman is not 100 years old - she appears to be sitting tall and straight backed - generally not what you would expect from someone who is 100 years old. Hair is also dark, showing no obvious signs of grey. If quizzed and without seeing her face, I would guess that this woman could be anything between 30 to 60 years old. Though her fingers are not very visible her hands do not appear to be arthritic or obviously old. Shame her body is so overwhemed by the oversized loose garment so no judgement can be made on that. Of course I may be wrong with these observations.

Aboutime, how can you identify this woman as your ancestor? Have you seen this photograph before?
(I don't think I could recognize my own daughter dressed in such an oversized shapeless garment with her face obscured, let alone my 6xgrandmother.  )

[cazza59]

Ignore me...I missed a page.

[chinakay]

Again, this is an 1860s dress, probably early, and an early 1870s lace collar. If this photo was taken around 1940 when the sitter was 100 years old or so, that dress would have been 80 years old. Not likely to have survived especially if it was silk, alas.

Cheers,
China

[Ruskie]

Again, this is an 1860s dress, probably early, and an early 1870s lace collar. If this photo was taken around 1940 when the sitter was 100 years old or so, that dress would have been 80 years old. Not likely to have survived especially if it was silk, alas.

Cheers,
China

I cannot comprehend that a woman would have a photograph taken wearing an 80 year old dress (had it by some miracle survived) .... unless it was for fancy dress? 
Perhaps aboutime's dates are incorrect or this is not the person they think it is? 

[Kiwi Girl]

Hi all,  well now another twig in the tree has confirmed her, here she is in all her glory.

Amazing looking lady!

[Ruskie]

Eyes closed - perhaps she is blind? 

(I still don't think she looks 100 years old).

[aboutime]

Thankyou to everyone who has responded.....after going back to previous research I have some corrections to make in regards to my previous post.  My apologies for the confusion caused.  Previous to my mother passing away in 2002 she asked me to put all of her research together into a journal, time has passed quickly and it is well overdue that I am now trying to fulfil her request for our descendants.
To clarify and correct: The lady pictured is my 3 x Gr Grandmother not 6x as previously stated and Yes I do have that photo of her also. She was over 100 years old when she died (which does seem quite extraordinary considering the times) but yes she was blind and had a moko on her chin.  The knowledge that this lady was our ancestor has been passed down through each generation and our family are accepted descendants on the Tribal Register.

[Ruskie]

That makes a lot more sense aboutime.  Do you know her date of death?

Does this mean that you and Kiwi Girl are related?