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Tapa cloth
Object Number 00-8-70/55415.1
Display Title Tapa cloth
Descriptions
Object Description Tapa cloth. Relatively thick, uneven, coarsely textured cloth of well pounded, light brown inner bark fibers; fibers thoroughly felted and enmeshed; cloth's somewhat stiff hand possibly related to colorant or starch-type adhesive or size used in manufacture--a thick, brown colorant/surface coating occurs overall between beater impression ridges on both sides of the cloth; distinct beater impressions (groups of cross-directionally overlapping parallel ridges) throughout; all four edges of the cloth retain their uneven, pounded edge finish; catalogue number marking brush applied in opaque, matte red paint, along one short edge of the cloth; a thin paper-board tag with manuscript graphite notations, "A. Agissiz/Cook Is./Aitutaki/55415", attached adjacent to catalogue number by stitching through and knotting with a plied, soft cotton string.
Inventory Description Tapa cloth, rectangular, dyed brown, plain
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / New Zealand / <State> / Aitutaki
Additional Geographic Terms Cook Islands
Materials Bark, Beaten inner bark fiber, Pigment, Unidentified dye, Binder
Dimensions Overall: 338 x 187 cm (133 1/16 x 73 5/8 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 55415; A. Agissiz/Cook Is./Aitutaki/55415
Provenance
Collector Alexander Agassiz (1899-1900)
Collector Dr. William McMichael Woodworth (1899-1900)
Collector U.S. Fish Commission Ship Albatross Expedition (1899-1900)
Donor Donated by Alexander Agassiz (1900)

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PrimaryMedia Object Number Title Classification Geography/Provenience SHARE
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