Lot 579
Striking, Large, Vintage, Tapa Cloth (Barkcloth) Wall or Table Tapestry from Fiji. Tapa is a barkcloth made in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, primarily in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji (where it is called uha or masi), and even as far as Niue (called hiapo), Cook Islands, Futuna, Solomon Islands, Java, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii (where it is called kapa). Captain Cook's travels to the islands introduced to the world this indigenous islands cloth. Fijian tapa usually form a grid of squares, each of which contains geometric patterns with repeated motifs such as fish and plants. Traditional dyes are usually black and rust-brown, although other colors are known. The paper mulberry tree is the source of choice for many of these islands. Making this cloth is completely by hand and is fascinating given the level of hand pummeling with wooden mallets to get the wood into strips and after numerous steps convert into whole cloth.
Offered is a quite large, museum quality example of tapa (uha and or masi) very representative of the traditional geometric patterns of the island. Purchased in Fiji almost 65 years ago. Piece measures 66 x 41" and are of two matching squares boasting incredible craftsmanship not only in the paper, but the overwhelming detail to every painstakingly painted checkered border, triangle, and square. Tapa is in superior condition, only briefly displayed then stored carefully for decades. The earth colors are intensely rich and exhibit no staining or fading. This would prove a spectacular accent piece displayed on a wall or draped over table. Note: Not unusual to cleanly separate piece into two matching panels for display. Estimated Value $400 - UP
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| Realized $210 |
