Oceania, South Pacific Islands, ca. early 20th century CE. This is a tapa bark cloth, made from the paper mulberry tree, which was introduced to the South Pacific from Southeast Asia at an unknown point in the past. The painted decorations are in two tones, and the swirling, geometric designs will instantly remind you of being on a warm beach in the tropics. The process for making this valuable cloth, worn on special occasions like weddings and given as gifts, is detailed and almost ritualistic. First, the paper mulberry tree is cut, and the bark is stripped, and the inner bark retained and sun dried, then soaked. After this, the bark is beaten on a wooden anvil using wooden mallets. The sound of the tapa being beaten forms a rhythmic musical backdrop as the work is being done. The strips are then beaten together using plant starch to form a large sheet, whose edges are then trimmed using a knife or sharp shell. This piece is then painted using stencils made from coconut. We also have a complementary piece that is #113765. Size: 30" W x 26" H (76.2 cm x 66 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Private Batek family collection acquired in Peru in the early 1960's then handed down through 3 generations.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#113766

Some fragility/tearing to the edges, but designs are clear.