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Catalog Number CAS 0021-0001   CAS 0021-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture unknown
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data South Pacific
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Matted mulberry bark fiber; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 86.4, Length = 154.9

Catalog Number

CAS 0133-0002   CAS 0133-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 116.8, Length = 139.7

Catalog Number

CAS 0144-0002   CAS 0144-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 160.0, Length = ca. 175.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0144-0013   CAS 0144-0013; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data South Pacific
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 203.0, Length = ca. 264.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0281-0042   CAS 0281-0042; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Marquesan
Global Region Oceania
Country Marquesas Islands
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 214.5, Length = 251.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0284-0001   CAS 0284-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tahitian
Global Region Oceania
Country Society Islands
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 99.0, Length = 157.5

Catalog Number

CAS 0287-0001   CAS 0287-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. Unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1870 or earlier
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description Long, rectangular piece of tapa cloth made from strip of mulberry bark that has been beaten into a thin sheet; Design field on front of cloth is divided into seven contiguous rectangular panels, each subdivided into smaller triangular panels and parallelograms, which are then painted with dots, zigzags, chevrons, and other geometric units; Dark brown framing line extends around all four sides of cloth; Reverse side of cloth is marked with series of evenly spaced dark brown parallel lines extending across the width of the piece; All four edges of the cloth have been trimmed to form decorative fringe, consisting of a wide leaf-shaped fringe alternating with 3 or 4 narrow straight-edged fringes.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 40.6, Length = ca. 127.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0287-0002   CAS 0287-0002; Tapa cloth dress
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth dress
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1870s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Commercial fabric
Description Skirt or dress-like garment consisting of two rectangular pieces of plain, undecorated tapa cloth with short fringe along their long sides; One short end of each piece is folded over and hand-sewn with thread, forming a sleeve through which a single length of bias tape is threaded, connecting the two pieces together; Bias tape probably to serve as a belt or drawstring.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 70.0, Length = ca. 160.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0287-0003A,B   CAS 0287-0003A,B; Tapa cloth belts (2)
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth belts (2)
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1870s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description Pair of belt-like objects, each consisting of a rectangular sheet of tapa cloth with short fringes along one short end, tightly folded many times; Although separate items, the two belts are tied together at each end with a short length of pandanus-like fiber.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 3.5, Thickness = 0.7, Length = ca. 70.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0287-0004   CAS 0287-0004; Tapa cloth dress
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth dress
Culture Micronesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data South Pacific
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1860-1874
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Native cordage; Dyes
Description Woman's dress made from single piece of tapa cloth folded in half along shoulder and sewn along both sides; Openings for arms left at top and neck slit made at top center; Band of dark brown stitching across shoulder, just below neckline, and along hem; Front and back are decorated with repetitive hand-painted design in golden brown outlined in dark brown.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 78.0 , Thickness = 0.2, Length = ca. 97.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0311-0001   CAS 0311-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian or Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data South Pacific
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 188.0, Length = 487.7

Catalog Number

CAS 0311-0002   CAS 0311-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data South Pacific
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 188.0, Length = 175.3

Catalog Number

CAS 0389-2208   CAS 0389-2208; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rietz
Materials Mulberry bark fiber; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 147.0, Length = 195.5

Catalog Number CAS 0423-0103   CAS 0423-0103; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 52.0, Length = ca. 93.0

Catalog Number CAS 0423-0104   CAS 0423-0104; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 49.0, Length = ca. 95.0

Catalog Number CAS 0423-0105   CAS 0423-0105; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 51.5, Length = ca. 94.0

Catalog Number CAS 0423-0106   CAS 0423-0106; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 51.0, Length = ca. 94.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0423-0107   CAS 0423-0107; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1950s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description Large rectangular tapa cloth, made from strips of mulberry bark which have been beaten to thin sheets and overlapped to form a larger cloth, then painted overall with designs and cut into smaller pieces such as this example; Cloth is divided into 4 parallel vertical panels with various designs repeated on each panel but arranged in a single band across all four panels Beginning along one edge is a plain band that is undecorated except for the numbers "8" and "10" in two of the bands, indicating measurements of the original larger cloth; The next motif is a dove, carrying a pair of leaves in its beak, followed by band of alternating light and dark brown triangles (an ancient chiefly motif also known as the "vane swastika"), then a group of 3 swords (representing the battles fought to unite the islands of the Tongan Kingdom), next the "Royal Crown of Tonga", and finally small groups of stars and a banner reading "KOE KALAUNI" (referring to the royal crown or kalauni).
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 194.0, Length = ca. 204.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0437-0001   CAS 0437-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 121.5, Length = 146.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0437-0002   CAS 0437-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 89.0, Length = 94.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0437-0003   CAS 0437-0003; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 120.0, Length = 165.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0437-0004   CAS 0437-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 172.0, Length = 186.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0519-0002   CAS 0519-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data Tutuila Island; Village: Pago Pago
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1910
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth cut from larger cloth and made from several layers of bark that have been individually beaten flat and then overlapped to form a single cloth; Design field is divided into 12 squares (3 rows by 4 columns) with a narrow band between adjacent squares; Each square is painted with a round rosette with a central floral motif in dark brown; Floral motif is identical in first and third columns and slightly different in second column; Single continuous row of dark brown diamonds fills the border along the long side on the left edge and is also repeated in the vertical space between the second and third columns of design squares; All other vertical and horizontal borders are painted with a simpler geometric design.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 119.5, Length = 164.5

Catalog Number

CAS 0519-0003   CAS 0519-0003; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 118.8, Length = 142.9

Catalog Number

CAS 0519-0004   CAS 0519-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 126.7, Length = 156.9

Catalog Number

CAS 0519-0005   CAS 0519-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Tutuila
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1910
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes (derived from 'o'a [Bischofia javanica] sap mixed with charcoal or from lama [candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana] kernels)
Description Rectangular tapa cloth that is made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten thin and overlapped to form larger cloth; Design field is divided into alternating narrow and wide vertical columns, and the wider columns are further subdivided into smaller rectangles; Each small rectangle is divided diagonally, with one-half decorated with a chevron-patterned palm or fern frond and the other half decorated with a palm frond with more cascading leaves; Each rectangle is nearly identical, except the designs are rotated 180 degrees in adjacent columns and in one column the cascading palm frond includes the terminal growth shoot; Narrow vertical columns are decorated either with heavy zigzag lines or columns of contiguous triangles; All designs are a very dark brown color, and portions of the designs have been over-painted, giving them a glossy sheen; Cloth has been cut on all four sides.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 116.0, Length = 177.5

Catalog Number

CAS 0537-0005   CAS 0537-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 51.5, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 70.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0554-0001   CAS 0554-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Tongatapu; Village near Nukualofa
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1954
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of paper mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets that are then overlapped to form a larger cloth; Design field is divided into 5 columns of equal width running the entire length of the cloth, and each column is subdivided into 4 rectangular blocks (one square block at each end and two elongated blocks toward the center); Smaller blocks at ends of cloth are decorated with paired diagonal bars of contiguous triangles; Larger elongated blocks are decorated with large Norfolk pine motifs, identified below with the words "HALA PAINI" (the avenue of Norfolk pines leading to the royal palace in Nukualofa), and 2 motifs (a row of ribbon-like motifs and a row of single-stemmed plants with teardrop shaped flowers) that represent the sisi, a grass skirt worn over a waist mat; Both motifs are identified with the words "KO E SISI 'O ULUKALALA" indicating the designs commemorate the sisi (woven skirt) of a member of the chiefly family; Orientation of designs in adjacent columns is rotated 180 degrees; Interspersed among the design motifs are large black dots, representing the fruit of the hea tree; All designs are imprinted in a dark brown color and then over-painted in a darker brown or black color; Only areas of the design motifs have been rubbed, so that the surrounding areas are left undecorated; Cloth is cut along both sides, but original measurement markings of "6", "8", and "10" remain along one end.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 237.0, Length = ca. 428.0

Catalog Number

CAS 0568-0001   CAS 0568-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. Ha'apai Islands
County
Other Geographic Data Foa Island
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1979
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 260.0, Length = ca. 466.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0136   CAS 1984-0008-0136; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Santa Cruz Islands
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Anuda (Cherry)
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 35.0, Length = 512.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0137   CAS 1984-0008-0137; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country New Caledonia
State/Prov./Dist. Uvea
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Wallis
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native and aniline dyes
Description Elongated, rectangular tapa cloth, possibly a lafi, a bandolier worn by men, made from strips of paper mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets which are then overlapped to form a larger cloth; Design field is divided into series of horizontal bands at each end covering approximately 1/4 of the field, with the central area left open; End bands are decorated with various motifs, including stars, plants, and checkerboard designs, all painted in colors of dark blue, purple, and turquoise blue black; Similar motifs are repeated in central field, but more sparsely; Solid black border frames cloth on all four sides; Ends of cloth have been cut to form series of wide triangular fringes that are painted with black border designs.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 55.5, Length = 244.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0138   CAS 1984-0008-0138; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Western Polynesia
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 186.0, Length = 215.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0139   CAS 1984-0008-0139; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Western Polynesia
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 115.0, Length = 198.0

Catalog Number CAS 1984-0008-0140   CAS 1984-0008-0140; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 95.0, Length = 152.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0141   CAS 1984-0008-0141; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Western or Central Polynesia
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 33.0, Length = 232.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0142   CAS 1984-0008-0142; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 118.0, Length = 137.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0143   CAS 1984-0008-0143; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Large rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets that are overlapped to form a larger cloth, which is then painted overall with designs and cut into smaller sections such as this example; Design field is divided into 5 narrow columns of rectangular blocks alternating with 4 wide columns of 6 rectangular blocks; Blocks in end and center narrow columns are alternately brown or black, while the blocks in remaining two narrow columns are all painted with single black diamond shapes, forming the trunks of palm trees (?), whose leaves are depicted in the flanking columns of wider blocks, also including a coconut (?) in alternating blocks; Wide band along two ends of the cloth are undecorated except for series of wide and widely spaced brown diagonal lines, and the numbers "6" through "10" along one end, indicating the measurements from the original large cloth from which this example was cut.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 252.0, Length = ca. 208.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0144   CAS 1984-0008-0144; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 416.0, Length = ca. 448.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0354   CAS 1984-0008-0354; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description Elongated rectangular tapa cloth, made from strips of paper mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets which are then overlapped to form larger sheets; Central design field is divided into three rectangular panels, with both ends decorated with positive and negative narrow parallelograms in black and white; Central panel is subdivided into 10 smaller blocks, each containing a negative star or floral motif on a black or half black-half brown background; Series of elaborate borders frame the cloth on all four sides (1 end now missing), the most prominent border consisting of a continuous band of negative diamonds with a central star motif; Outermost edges of cloth were painted with series of parallel diagonal lines, and then cut to form long narrow fringes along sides of cloth and shorter, triangular fringes along ends; All designs were probably applied using stencils to paint black designs, sometimes over a brown underpainting.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 66.0, Length = ca. 206.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0355   CAS 1984-0008-0355; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1924-1925
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Native paints
Description Narrow rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten flat; Finished cloth is natural off-white color except for simple dark black geometric band that is stamped and painted along both long edges; The same band with heavier framing lines is also stamped and painted in the central design field in a wide zigzag pattern, forming a series of large triangles along the length of the cloth, with each triangle containing one or two black floral motifs.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 53.0, Length = ca. 327.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0356   CAS 1984-0008-0356; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Western or Central Polynesia
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 82.0, Length = 204.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0357   CAS 1984-0008-0357; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 132.0, Length = 173.0

Catalog Number CAS 1984-0008-0358   CAS 1984-0008-0358; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 47.0, Length = 91.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0359   CAS 1984-0008-0359; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 46.0, Length = 164.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0360   CAS 1984-0008-0360; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Very large rectangular tapa cloth, made from strips of paper mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets, which are overlapped to form the larger cloth; Design field is divided horizontally across center into halves and each half is subdivided into 4 elongated panels near the center and 4 nearly square panels at the ends; The elongated panels, separated by bands of negative zigzags, are decorated with several large motifs including necklaces or leis, fans, and rings with occasional large black dots, representing the fruit of the hea tree, and accompanied by the word "FAKALALA O PILOLEVU", referring to the named design "fakalala"; Each elongated panel is bordered on one end by a band of fern or palm-like motifs that are accompanied by the word "SISI O APUO PILOLEVU"; Square panels at each end of cloth are undecorated, except for measurement markings; All design motifs are applied with a kupesi or rubbing tablet and then over-painted in dark brown; Only the area around the kupesi and the actual motif were rubbed, leaving the surrounding areas of the cloth a natural off-white color; Series of narrow parallel brown lines in background around motifs indicates cloth was made on worktable that was strung with sennit cord; Cloth has been cut along both sides.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 198.0, Length = 455.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0434   CAS 1984-0008-0434; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian
Global Region Oceania
Country unknown
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Polynesia
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 146.0, Length = 185.5

Catalog Number CAS 1986-0002-0001   CAS 1986-0002-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes (derived from 'o'a [Bischofia javanica] sap mixed with charcoal or from lama [candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana] kernels)
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets, which are then overlapped to form a larger cloth; Design field is divided into a grid work pattern of 32 small square panels arranged in 4 columns and 8 rows, with adjacent panels separated by wide brown borders (border is missing along one side and one end); 4 of the horizontal borders are decorated with a repetitive negative triangular motif, while remaining horizontal borders show a negative 4-point star at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical borders; 3 vertical borders are decorated only with a negative central line, while the outermost vertical border is decorated with series of negative "X" motifs; Each of the 32 square panels within the design field is filled with a palm front motif with curved leaves, and the orientation of each motif is rotated 90 degrees in each adjacent panel; All designs have been executed in dark brown by rubbing the cloth over a design tablet, and then the palm front motif within each square panel was over-painted with a darker brown with a glossy sheen; Cloth has been cut along all four sides.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 82.0, Length = 170.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0002A   CAS 1986-0002-0002A; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 63.5, Length = 81.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0002B   CAS 1986-0002-0002B; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 63.5, Length = 81.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0003   CAS 1986-0002-0003; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 62.0, Length = 270.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0004   CAS 1986-0002-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 46.0, Length = 290.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0005   CAS 1986-0002-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Marquesan
Global Region Oceania
Country Marquesas Islands
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 68.0, Length = 116.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1986-0002-0006   CAS 1986-0002-0006; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Marquesan
Global Region Oceania
Country Marquesas Islands
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 88.0, Length = ca. 101.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1989-0005-0001   CAS 1989-0005-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s-1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes (derived from 'o'a [Bischofia javanica] sap mixed with charcoal or from lama [candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana] kernels)
Description Round tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets which were then overlapped to form a larger cloth; Design field is divided into a series of concentric bands, painted with series of diamonds, plant motifs, triangles, and zigzag lines; Central design is a stylized floral motif; All designs have been drawn freehand, first in a brown dye and then over-painted in a darker brown dye with a glossy sheen; Cloth has been completely cut around perimeter to obtain its final shape.
Dimensions (cm) Max Diam = 107.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1989-0005-0002   CAS 1989-0005-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 105.0, Length = 127.5

Catalog Number

CAS 1989-0015-0003   CAS 1989-0015-0003; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Apia, Western Samoa
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes from coal tar or shoe polish
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 82.0, Length = 115.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1989-0015-0004   CAS 1989-0015-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes from coal tar or shoe polish
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 56.0, Length = 122.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1989-0015-0005   CAS 1989-0015-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Vegetal dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 180.0, Length = 270.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1990-0006-0001   CAS 1990-0006-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description Very large rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets, which were then overlapped to form a larger cloth; A background of narrow parallel brown lines indicates the cloth was prepared on worktable that was strung with sennit cord; Design field is divided into 20 rectangular panels arranged in 4 columns and 5 rows; Each row of panels includes 2 narrow panels and a slightly wider panel in the center and along each side; One column of narrow panels is decorated with a motif that resembles a belt with 3 discs on a double chain; The other column of narrow panels is decorated alternately with violin and guitar motifs; In the columns of wider panels, each panel is decorated with one of three different motifs representing hand fans, interspersed by large black dots, representing the fruit of the hea tree; All designs have been stamped onto cloth, probably using a wooden kupesi or rubbing tablet, and then they have been over-painted on front face of cloth; On the narrow panels only the areas around the motifs were rubbed, leaving the surrounding areas a natural off-white color, while on the wider panels the entire area was rubbed, transferring both the motif and the background pattern of parallel lines from the cordage wrapping; "KOE LETA O MALIA MOE KITA" is repeated 2 1/2 times as part of the design along one side of cloth, referring to the belt (leta) and guitar (kita) motifs; Cloth has been cut along all four sides from much larger cloth.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 169.0, Length = 237.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1991-0011-0016   CAS 1991-0011-0016; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1970s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular piece of tapa cloth cut from a much larger piece, made by beating strips of paper mulberry bark to paper thin sheets, and overlapping them until the desired width and length was achieved; This piece measures four langanga (hand-measured unit) in length, as indicated by the numbers along its outer borders, and could have been part of a 50 langanga cloth; Overall cloth is divided into rectangular panels of different sizes that extend across the entire cloth in columns and rows; Smaller panels along outer borders are decorated with alternating images of a star with crescent moon and that of a braided fiber lei, with the even-numbered panels also marked with their measurement (e.g., 2, 4, etc.); Remaining width of the cloth is divided into 5 columns of panels (3 smaller panels and 2 wide panels); Each panel in the column adjacent to the border is decorated with the royal seal of Tonga which is rendered rather haphazardly with little attention to complete details; Panels in next column are wide with alternate rows showing a tokelau feletoa design (a chiefly symbol of an elongated lozenge shape) or an series of small contiguous squares topped with row of triangles (symbolism unknown); Small panels in center column are decorated with triangular structure (possibly representing a house) with a rising and/or setting crescent sun on either side; Background of all panels is partially painted brown, with traces of string, indicating that cloth was tied to a working board and secured with sennit fibers as it was being made.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 176.0, Length = 392.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1993-0002-0001   CAS 1993-0002-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. Vava'u group
County
Other Geographic Data Lua'afuleheu (?)
Maker's Name Sela Taufoou
Date of Manufacture ca. 1990
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 198.0, Length = ca. 420.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1993-0004-0001   CAS 1993-0004-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s to 1950s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Paper mulberry bark; Native dyes (derived from 'o'a [Bischofia javanica] sap mixed with charcoal or from lama [candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana] kernels)
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin strips, which were then overlapped to form a larger cloth; Cloth has been laid over wooden design tablet and stamped 5 times with geometric register or panel that runs the width of the cloth and forms a overall design network of diamonds that are filled in with additional geometric motifs, all visible on the reverse; Stamped designs were then over-painted on front face of cloth in freehand technique, emphasizing some of the original motifs and also adding new ones, while still maintaining the overall diamond network; Stamped designs are done in a pale brown color and hand painted designs are in a darker brown color; Cloth has all four original edges.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 122.0, Length = 190.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1994-0014-0001   CAS 1994-0014-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1943
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth with an all-over stamped geometric pattern in brown; Design field on front is over-painted and subdivided into 56 smaller rectangular units, each containing either a four-petal floral motif or a large "V" shape, generally arranged in alternating rows and all painted in solid black.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 250.0, Length = 195.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1995-0003-0001   CAS 1995-0003-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Tutuila; Village: Laulii
Maker's Name Salavau Mamea
Date of Manufacture late 1960s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Sap from o'a tree
Description Tapa cloth with a design field stamped all over with a light brown pattern, then divided into 24 painted rectangular panels outlined in black; Panels are arranged in 4 rows and 6 columns; Three different geometric patterns are painted in black and brown in the first three columns, then repeated in the other three.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 162.0, Length = 120.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1996-0006-0001   CAS 1996-0006-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1939
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from overlapping sheets of pounded mulberry bark, with an overall geometric pattern stamped on reverse face in light brown pigment; Design is faintly visible on front face, on which some of the design elements are over-painted in dark brown/black pigment.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 165.0, Length = ca. 116.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1997-0002-0001   CAS 1997-0002-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1992
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Vegetal dyes
Description Extremely large rectangular tapa cloth made from numerous overlapping sheets of tapa; Wide border of rectangular blocks frames 3 edges of cloth, each block painted with large X-motif and alternate blocks along long sides marked with measurements "2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 20, 22, and 24"; Central field of cloth is divided into 68 rectangular blocks, alternately decorated with butterfly motif or column of 3 diamond shapes; Vine motif extends down center of cloth.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 113.2, Length = 400.0

Catalog Number

CAS 1997-0005-0001   CAS 1997-0005-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. American Samoa
County
Other Geographic Data Tutuila Island; Village: Pago Pago
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture 1955
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Native dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth with irregular edges; Design field is divided into 56 rectangular blocks, arranged in 7 columns and 8 rows; Blocks within each row are stamped with one of two alternating designs, consisting either of rectangular motifs or a star pattern; Select portions of each design are then over-painted to highlight certain design elements, all in various shades of brown pigment.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 154.0, Length = 178.0

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

Catalog Number CAS 2006-0003-0012   CAS 2006-0003-0012; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Vegetal dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets that are then overlapped and pasted together to form larger sheets; This particular cloth appears to be made almost entirely from a single sheet of bark, with an additional pieced strip added along one long side; Overall design consists of a series of concentric rectangles that fill the entire design field; Each rectangle is outlined in heavy black lines and filled in with stamped repeating geometric motifs (diamonds, X’s, and straight lines) in either black or brown, alternating positive and negative motifs; White gummed paper label on reverse is stamped “MADE IN FIJI ISLANDS”; All four edges of cloth have been cut.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 61.9, Length = 94.3

Catalog Number

CAS 2006-0003-0013   CAS 2006-0003-0013; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist. Island: Namuka-i-Lau
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Luseane (?)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Vegetal dyes
Description Nearly square tapa cloth, made from strips of mulberry bark which have been beaten into thin sheets that are then overlapped and pasted together to form larger sheet; Central rectangular area is divided into four quadrants, and each quadrant is subdivided into two triangles, each containing a negative circular design on either a brown or black background; Series of multiple borders frame the central design, each border painted and/or stamped with a repetitive geometric design; All but one of the borders is black and white, the exception being brown; “Luseane 2x_?_” is written in ink on reverse; “MADE IN FIJI NAMUKA” is stamped and obverse; All four edges have been cut with a scissors.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 61.7, Length = 64.3

Catalog Number

CAS 2006-0003-0014   CAS 2006-0003-0014; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist. Island: Namuka-i-Lau
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Ofa Seru (?)
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Vegetal dyes
Description Nearly square tapa cloth, made from strips of mulberry bark which have been beaten into thin sheets that are then overlapped and pasted together to form larger sheet; Central rectangular area is divided into two triangles (one painted black and the other brown), each containing a negative circular design; Series of multiple borders frame the central design, each border painted and/or stamped with a repetitive geometric design; All but one of the borders is black and white, the exception being brown; “OFA SERU 2x2” is written in ink on reverse; “MADE IN FIJI NAMUKA” is stamped and obverse; All four edges have been cut with a scissors.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 63.0, Length = 67.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2006-0014-0001   CAS 2006-0014-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1970s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Large rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark which have been beaten into long thin sheets which, in turn, have been overlapped to form an even larger sheet; Design field is divided into a series of rectangular blocks arranged in 11 columns and 6 rows; All blocks in a single column are hand painted with the same design or motif; The center column contains a diamond motif repeated over and over, bordered by the words, “KOE HALA PAINI [referring to the Norfolk pines lining the avenue leading to the royal palace at Nukualofa] and OTUPOUTOA; Columns to the left and right of the central column contain the following motifs: lion, Tongan royal seal, dove, and Norfolk pines; Outermost column along each side is undecorated except for the units of measurement [24 to 29; also 10 to 15] from the original cloth from which this large piece has been cut.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 264.0, Length = ca. 355.4

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0001   CAS 2011-0004-0001; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Section of tapa cloth measuring 4 langanga (unit of measure generally equal to length from elbow to tips of fingers) that has been cut along three sides from much larger tapa cloth; White border along one edge has also been marked with numbers 25, 26, and 27, indicating its original position within the larger tapa cloth; Fabric is made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets and overlapped to make increasingly larger cloth; Background of design field is marked by light brown cross-hatch lines, indicating cloth was wrapped on sennit-covered board as it was made, then designs were marked on one face by pressing cloth against a kupesi or pattern board; Designs were then overpainted in dark brown and/or black; Several designs are repeated in rows that extend across width of tapa cloth, and include a row of triangles, alternately marked with a single stemmed flower and a single leafed stem; Bordering the band of triangles is the phrase, “KOE SISIMA LEO TUGI” referring to a royal belt; Next design band is filled with terraced diagonal columns of triangles and groups of 3 solid circles, the latter representing fruit of the hea tree; Next design band shows row of airplanes, each marked with the word “KUINISALOTE”; Last design band repeats terraced diagonal columns of triangles and hea fruit.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 205.5, Length = 190.7

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0002   CAS 2011-0004-0002; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Section of large tapa cloth measuring 5 langanga (unit of hand measurement equal to distance from elbow to finger tips) that is made from strips of mulberry bark that have been pounded into thin sheets that have then been overlapped to form an even larger cloth sheet; This section has been cut with a scissors along all four edges, but still includes the original side borders that are marked with the langanga marks of 1 through 5, indicating it has been cut from a much larger tapa cloth; The design field is divided into rectangular blocks, with two blocks covering the entire width of the cloth; Similar blocks are designated across each langanga unit, and each block contains the same motifs: a central kalauni (Tongan royal crown), flanked by 3 (feitu’u (stars) and a crescent on one side and three heleta (swords representing battles fought to unite the islands of the Tongan kingdom) on the other; A small banner with the words “KOE KALAUNI” is also shown beneath each heleta; Inside the numbered borders and extending up the entire length of the cloth is a geometric border that includes the manulua motif (an ancient chiefly motif also known as the “vane swastika”) consisting of a pinwheel like pattern of small triangles, and three large dark brown dots representing the fruits of the hea tree; Same geometric border is also painted down the center of the cloth, separating the two rectangular design blocks in each langanga row.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 259.0, Length = ca. 430.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0003   CAS 2011-0004-0003; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Large rectangular four langana (hand-measured length) section of tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been pounded into thin sheets which have then been overlapped to form an even larger sheet; Background pattern of parallel brown lines indicates this sheet was made on a worktable which was strung with sennit cordage; Cloth has been cut along all four sides, although one sides includes the original border bearing the markings “20” and “22”, indicating it probably was cut from a much larger cloth that might have measured 50 langana; Design field is divided into rows that extended across entire length of full-size cloth; Starting at the border, each row is decorated with an image of a hala paini (Norfolk pine tree that flanks the road between the Royal Palace and the Royal Tombs in Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital), a small bat-like bird, the tokelau feletoa (series of 4 elongated diamond shapes with palm-life design, used as chiefly symbol on Tongan tapa), another row of small bat-like birds, and finally a row of the kalauni (the Tongan royal crown); The row of royal crowns has been cut so that only 1/3 of each crown is actually depicted.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 181.5, Length = ca. 214.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0004   CAS 2011-0004-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Section of tapa cloth measuring 10 langanga (unit of measure generally equal to length from elbow to tips of fingers) that has been cut along two sides from much larger tapa cloth; White borders along two edges are marked with odd numbers 19 through 27, indicating its original position within the larger tapa cloth which probably measured 50 langanga; Fabric is made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets and overlapped to make increasingly larger cloth; Background of design field is marked by light brown lines, indicating cloth was wrapped on sennit-covered board as it was made, then designs were marked on one face by pressing cloth against a kupesi or pattern board; Designs were then overpainted in dark brown and/or black; Design field is divided in half down the length of the cloth with a pinwheel-like design known as manulua; Slightly wider version of this same design is repeated along the sides, just inside the white border; Remaining area is filled with four columns of large brown diamond shapes, laid end to end along length of cloth, with each diamond containing three large black dots representing the fruit of the hea tree; An open triangle is appended to each outside edge of each diamond and filled in with various geometric designs; The designs in the appended triangles are repeated along the entire column of diamonds, but each column has a slightly different set of designs.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 487.5, Length = ca. 427.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0005   CAS 2011-0004-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Natural dyes from bark of mangrove tree (black) and from candlenut soot (dark brown)
Description Small rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have beaten into thin sheets that are then overlapped and joined together to form a larger sheet; The entire sheet has been pressed against a wooden pattern board bearing a carved geometric design, in this case that of a large 4-petal flower with a round center that is repeated twice; The design, itself, is best viewed on the reverse side of the cloth; To make the design stand out even more, select elements of the design on the front or top surface of the cloth are overpainted in dark brown and black, using natural dyes made from various plants.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 37.0, Length = ca. 80.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0006   CAS 2011-0004-0006; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Natural dyes from bark of mangrove tree (black) and from candlenut soot (dark brown)
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from strips of mulberry bark that have been pounded into thin strips that have then been overlapped to form a larger sheet; Finished sheet was next pressed against a carved wooden pattern board (see CAS 2011-0004-0016 or CAS 2011-0004-0017) to make a design; Finally, design was overpainted on front face of cloth, using reddish brown and black dyes made from several different plants; Design field is divided into four vertical columns; Outermost columns are decorated with geometric motifs, while the two inner columns contain alternating geometric and floral-like motifs.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 57.0, Length = ca. 91.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2011-0004-0007   CAS 2011-0004-0007; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Fijian
Global Region Oceania
Country Fiji
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1984
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Natural dyes from bark of mangrove tree (black) and from candlenut soot (dark brown)
Description Nearly square tapa cloth, made from strips of mulberry bark that have been beaten into thin sheets which are then overlapped and held together to form an even larger sheet; Front or top surface of the cloth is densely painted with a design consisting of a series of concentric squares, each painted with a different geometric pattern; A wide diagonal band crosses the center square; Predominant color in the designs is black, but a dark brown is used in the second to the outermost square; Reverse face is marked with ink,”2 x 2 N. Ikitaga”, indicating the size and possibly where it was made.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 60.5, Length = ca. 62.0

Catalog Number CAS 2018-0003-0004   CAS 2018-0003-0004; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture early 1930s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Large rectangular tapa cloth made from several layers of bark that have been individually beaten flat and then overlapped to form a single cloth; All edges have been trimmed fairly straight; Art Deco-like designs decorate the cloth; Design field is comprised of three alternating motifs, which are each repeated at least twice, for a total of eight design columns; Each column is further divided into nine smaller square or rectangular blocks; The first column displays alternating motifs of a single, central black diamond shape, followed by two smaller pigmented squares, placed diagonally from one another; The nine motif blocks of the second design column are further divided diagonally, creating two distinct motif spaces – the upper with a pigmented right triangle with its base positioned laterally, and the lower portion decorated with thick pigmented bars of increasing or decreasing height, spaced evenly apart; The third motif column exhibits two design elements – a solid black rectangle in the upper aspect, followed by a thick vertical line that connects to a second rectangular block with pinwheel designs; Fine lines and negative geometric designs fill in the background space of each motif block.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 140.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 187.0

Catalog Number CAS 2018-0003-0005   CAS 2018-0003-0005; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture early 1940s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth made from several layers of bark that have been individually beaten flat and then overlapped to form a single cloth; Printed with upeti/wooden carved printing block; Design field is divided into a series of rectangular blocks arranged in six columns and four rows; All blocks in a single column display the same pattern, one of three alternating motifs; These design columns are repeated once each, for a total of six columns; The first motif displays scalene triangles, radiating towards the top and bottom of the block from a central area at their smallest angle, to form a kind of star pattern, with bounded arcs connecting the top and bottom triangles on their lateral sides; The second design features a central curved-edge diamond shape, with a smaller inset square, which in turn displays a central sphere with radiating triangles; The third motif display an upside-down kite-like design, with an elongated “v” shape in the lower aspect of its interior; Various negative geometric and fine line details accompany the central design motif in each column block to fill out the design field; The edges of the tapa display original uneven edges, which are undecorated and undyed.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 135.0, Thickness = 0.2, Length = ca. 165.0

Catalog Number CAS 2018-0003-0006   CAS 2018-0003-0006; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data American Samoa
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930s to early 1940s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth cut from larger cloth and made from several layers of bark that have been individually beaten flat and then overlapped to form a single cloth; All edges have been trimmed fairly straight; Tapa has been cut down or its size was possibly miscalculated by the maker; Design includes fine lines representing a net (for catching fish, turtles, birds), as well as elements like trochus shells; Design could be interpreted as "harvest from the ocean"; Design field is divided into 30 roughly rectangular blocks, each of which display a single, repeating design motif; Each of the 30 blocks are further divided into two smaller rectangular areas, each displaying a flattened, pigmented triangle spanning the area diagonally, with horizontal and vertical fine line motif filling in the background; These rectangles within the design blocks are bordered laterally by either a solid pigmented rectangular block, or a rectangular block with a two-tone zigzag pattern and are bordered proximally and distally by a thin rectangular band of the same two-tone zigzag pattern; The perimeter is bordered by a thin black rectangular block.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 144.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 150.0

Catalog Number CAS 2018-0003-0007   CAS 2018-0003-0007; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Polynesian: Samoan
Global Region Oceania
Country Samoa
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data American Samoa
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture early 1940s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Mulberry bark; Dyes
Description Rectangular tapa cloth cut from larger cloth and made from several layers of bark that have been individually beaten flat and then overlapped to form a single cloth; All edges have been trimmed fairly straight; Design includes Fa'a vae tuli (sand piper footprints) with smaller elements like the flight of birds; The design field is divided into eight large rectangular blocks, each with the same repeating design motif; Each rectangular design block is bordered laterally by three thinner design columns, displaying geometric motifs of pigmented and negative triangle and diamond elements, with a thinner, middle column of pigmented crosshatches; The middle of each design column exhibits two large “X” shapes, with a smaller “V” mirroring the shape on either lateral side, and short, thick, pigmented parallel lines proximally and distally; These middle segments of the motif blocks are bordered by a line of small, pigmented diamond shapes; Each rectangular design block is bordered by a thick black line; Entire design field is bordered by a thicker black line.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 130.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 157.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2018-0003-0008   CAS 2018-0003-0008; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1990
Collection Name N/A
Materials Breadfruit fiber; Native dyes
Description Elongated rectangular tapa cloth, made from made from breadfruit bark that has been beaten flat and cut down to size; Design field is divided into six rectangular blocks, with the first and last block (border?) undecorated; Each of the six design blocks exhibit a similar pattern of thick, brown pigmented lines creating a continuous, abstract pattern; Each motif block is bordered on either lateral side by a much thicker brown pigmented line.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 43.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 260.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2018-0003-0009   CAS 2018-0003-0009; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1990
Collection Name N/A
Materials Breadfruit fiber
Description Rectangular tapa cloth cut from larger cloth and made from breadfruit bark that has been beaten flat; Tapa is completely undecorated and undyed.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 99.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 120.0

Catalog Number

CAS 2018-0003-0010   CAS 2018-0003-0010; Tapa cloth
Category Textiles
Object Name Tapa cloth
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1990
Collection Name N/A
Materials Breadfruit fiber
Description Rectangular tapa cloth cut from larger cloth and made from breadfruit bark that has been beaten flat; Tapa is completely undecorated and undyed.
Dimensions (cm) Width = ca. 100.0, Thickness = 0.1, Length = ca. 141.0
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