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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 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 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 1984-0008-0360   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 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 1984-0008-0401   CAS 1984-0008-0401; Tapa beater
Category Textiles; Tools & Implements
Object Name Tapa beater
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 Wood
Description Elongated rectangular 4-sided tapa beater carved from a single piece of wood; Proximal end is slightly constricted to form a handle; Above the handle the beater gradually expands in width to the squared off distal end; Each of the four faces shows a different pattern: one face is smooth and completely undecorated; the remaining three faces are carved, respectively, with two, three, and four deeply incised, parallel and equally spaced grooves.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.7, Thickness = 5.6, Length = 32.5

Catalog Number

 CAS 2011-0004-0019   CAS 2011-0004-0019; Tapa pattern board
Category Textiles; Tools & Implements
Object Name Tapa pattern board
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 Pandanus leaves; Coconut fiber; Coconut frond ribs; Unidentified plant fiber
Description Pattern board for decorating tapa cloth, made from a layer of pandanus leaves that are overlapped and seamed together, then overlaid with a layer of coconut fiber; A geometric design drawn in pencil on one face is outlined with coconut frond ribs that are sewn to the backing with a plant fiber; Design on this board is known as tokelau feletoa, a chiefly symbol popular among tapa makers; Design consists of two side-by-side elongated diamonds with zigzag borders and floral-like pattern in the center, all on a herringbone background; When decorating tapa cloth, this board or stencil would be coated with a dye and then the cloth would be pressed against the board, leaving a light impression of the raised design, which in turn, would be overpainted.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 33.4, Thickness = 0.5, Length = 52.0

Catalog Number

 CAS 0102-0017   CAS 0102-0017; Bow
Category Weaponry
Object Name Bow
Culture Polynesian: Tongan
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood
Description
Dimensions (cm) Max Diam = 2.9, Length = ca. 170.0

Catalog Number

 CAS 0102-0005   CAS 0102-0005; Club
Category Weaponry
Object Name Club
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 Wood
Description
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.7, Thickness = 4.5, Length = 90.7

Catalog Number

 CAS 2006-0003-0020   CAS 2006-0003-0020; Armband
Category Accessories/Ornaments; Basketry
Object Name Armband
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Metal: Tin; Pandanus fiber
Description Armband woven of natural and dyed black pandanus strips that are woven in a plaiting technique over a foundation of a metal band (probably cut from a tin can, including the rim); Dyed pandanus strips are wrapped vertically around interior and exterior of metal band and undyed pandanus strips are plaited on exterior in horizontal position, forming a geometric pattern of black and white diamonds alternating with pairs of checkerboard triangles.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.5, Max Diam = 10.6

Catalog Number

 CAS 1984-0008-0080   CAS 1984-0008-0080; Bowl
Category Pottery; Vessels
Object Name Bowl
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data Island: Troluhad or Fotohaa
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920-1925
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Clay; Paint
Description Small round and shallow bowl with wide, flat base, rounded sides, inward curving rim, and wide mouth; Interior and exterior surfaces are scraped smooth and are undecorated except for band of very small fish arranged in single file that has been hand painted around upper side of bowl in colors of white, blue, black, and yellow; Printed in black lettering just below the painted band is "Flying Fish _ _ das" (Barbados?); Overall color of bowl is terra cotta.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 2.3, Thickness = 0.6, Rim Diam = 6.5, Max Diam = 8.4

Catalog Number

 CAS 2006-0003-0015   CAS 2006-0003-0015; Staff
Category Carvings
Object Name Staff
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga (?)
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood
Description Probable staff carved from a single piece of wood, with a shaft that is nearly round at its proximal end but becomes more oval shaped toward the distal end; The expanded distal end is carved in the form of a flattened, lily-like flower whose petals are marked all over on the exterior with small carved triangles; On one face of the flower the triangles are arranged in rows and all point in the same direction, while on the opposite face some of the triangles oppose each other and are arranged in three distinct diagonal lines; Entire staff has probably been stained a dark brown.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 16.2, Thickness = 2.6, Length = 81.0
Catalog Number CAS 2006-0003-0016   CAS 2006-0003-0016; Necklace
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Necklace
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga (?)
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Seeds; Monofilament or fishing line
Description Single strand loop necklace comprised entirely of small dark brown, oval seeds that are strung on monofilament of fishing line; Monofilament line passes back and forth from side to side of the necklace, passing through both ends of the seeds on the interior; Seeds are arranged so they all lie on their edges and form a continuous chain of flower-like units.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 2.0, Thickness = 0.4, Length = ca. 74.0
Catalog Number CAS 2006-0003-0017   CAS 2006-0003-0017; Necklace
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Necklace
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga (?)
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Seeds; Monofilament or fishing line
Description Single strand loop necklace comprised entirely of small dark brown, oval seeds that are strung on monofilament of fishing line; Monofilament line passes back and forth from side to side of the necklace, passing through both ends of the seeds on the interior; Seeds are arranged so they all lie on their edges and form a continuous chain of flower-like units.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 2.0, Thickness = 0.4, Length = ca. 68.5
Catalog Number CAS 2006-0003-0018   CAS 2006-0003-0018; Necklace
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Necklace
Culture Polynesian: Tongan (?)
Global Region Oceania
Country Tonga (?)
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1973
Collection Name N/A
Materials Seeds; Monofilament or fishing line
Description Single strand loop necklace comprised entirely of small dark brown, oval seeds that are strung on monofilament of fishing line; Monofilament line passes back and forth from side to side of the necklace, passing through both ends of the seeds on the interior; Seeds are arranged so they all lie on their edges and form a continuous chain of flower-like units.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 1.5, Thickness = 0.4, Length = ca. 63.5
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