Skip to main content
Object Number 00-8-70/55346
Display Title Tapa cloth
Descriptions
Object Description Black painted tapa cloth, known as ngatu'uli. Medium-weight cloth of evenly beaten inner bark fibers of two layers. Grain direction on face side is widthwise with rear side opposite. Narrow undecorated white edges at sides, raw/natural finished, with top and bottom cut edges. Joins are overlapping with additional paste application. Paint was applied from face side (freehand painting in a matte red-brown that has penetrated to rear side with overpainting of overall glossy black that appears to have been rubbed over a wood design table/tablet. Uppermost application of a glossy or resinous dark brown black was freehand painted. A ngatu'uli of kumu kupu or ngatu'uli of kumi hoko type would have a narrow reddish border and then the unpainted tapa edges. See additional notes under conservation report.
Inventory Description Tapa, rectangular, painted black, white edges at sides
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Tonga / <State> / Eua Island
Additional Geographic Terms Tongatapu Group
Dimensions Overall: 190.5 x 280.67 cm (75 x 110 1/2 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 55436
Provenance
Collector Alexander Agassiz (1899-1900)
Collector Dr. William McMichael Woodworth (1899-1900)
Collector U.S. Fish Commission Ship Albatross Expedition (1899-1900)
Donor Alexander Agassiz (1900)

Important Note about Historical Language

Collections records may contain language, reflecting past collecting practices and methods of analysis, that is no longer acceptable. The Peabody Museum is committed to addressing the problem of offensive and discriminatory language present in its database. Our museum staff are continually updating these records, adding to and improving content. We welcome your feedback and any questions or concerns you may want to share. Please email us with your comments.

PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
Large piece of tapa cloth
37-50-70/617 Large piece of tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa?
Tapa cloth with brown and black geometric designs
48-56-70/3125 Tapa cloth with brown and black geometric designs
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa
967-32-70/4634 Tapa
Tapa
Tonga
Tapa cloth sash of King's daughter
92-4-70/48378.2 Tapa cloth sash of King's daughter
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth sash of King's daughter
92-4-70/48378.3 Tapa cloth sash of King's daughter
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa
2000.16.1 Tapa
Tapa
Tonga?
Samoa?
Bark cloth cut section
990-12-70/5772 Bark cloth cut section
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth with brown and black flower-like designs
48-56-70/3129 Tapa cloth with brown and black flower-like designs
Tapa
Samoa
Long piece of black and white tapa cloth
36-45-70/335 Long piece of black and white tapa cloth
Tapa
Fiji
Tapa cloth
43-32-70/2249 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Pago Pago
Piece of tapa cloth
34-137-70/299 Piece of tapa cloth
Tapa
Niaufo'ou (Tin Can Island)
Piece of tapa cloth
34-137-70/298 Piece of tapa cloth
Tapa
Niaufo'ou (Tin Can Island)