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Object Number 80-24-70/23087.2
Display Title Tapa
Descriptions
Indigenous Term Tapa or Kapa
Object Description Thin, nearly square-shaped cloth composed of finely pounded off-white inner bark fibers; small individual fibers are finely felted together. The cloth is tan-light brown in color; the fibers were most likely dyed prior to pounding. A single layer with cut finishing edges make up the cloth. Fiber grains are parallel to the beater pattern. No applied pigments decorate the cloth, however close-nitched narrow zig-zag lines, resembling watermarking are present. Identifying numbers: A Peabody Museum Catalogue number in black ink appears centrally near one edge.
Inventory Description Tapa, rectangular, buff with brown zigzag and linear pattern, creased from foldi
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Culture
  • Hawaiian
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / United States / Hawaii
Dimensions Overall: 78 x 72 cm (30 11/16 x 28 3/8 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 23.087
Provenance
Donor Boston Society of Natural History (1880)

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