Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2001-0004-0001   CAS 2001-0004-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian: possibly Nakanai
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist. New Britain
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1950s to 1965
Collection Name N/A
Materials Breadfruit fiber; Native dyes
Description Irregularly shaped piece of tapa cloth painted with large stylized human face in colors of black, white, reddish brown, and blue gray on white background; Image covers entire surface of cloth; This item was probably designed as tourist art piece rather than as functional piece of tapa cloth.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 85.0, Length = 141.0