Skip to main content
Object Number 71-8-70/2899
Display Title Small kapa cloth sample
Descriptions
Indigenous Term Kapa
Object Description Kapa. Tapa cloth. Small, thin, rectangular cloth made of finely pounded inner bark fibers. The cloth is composed of both single and double layers; longitudinally, one half each. The overlapping layers, having parallel grain directions, are joined by felting; no adhesive appears to be present. All edges have a cut edge finish. The overall surface of the cloth is pigmented/dyed in a reddish orange with red lines parallel to the length on one side. The lines are possible applied with a knifelike single liner. Identifying numbers: two Peabody Museum catalogue numbers along the width edge appears in black ink and on a paper backed with adhesive.
Inventory Description Tapa, rectangular, reddish orange linear pattern, small holes
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Date early 19th Century
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / United States / Hawaii
Dimensions Overall: 53 x 11.5 cm (20 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 2899
Provenance
Collector Unknown

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
Decorated kapa fragment
67-9-70/118 Decorated kapa fragment
Tapa
Hawaii
Tapa
80-24-70/23087.2 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Tapa
85-7-70/37624 Tapa
Tapa
Honolulu County
Tapa cloth
14-23-70/85657 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Piece of brown tapa cloth
36-45-70/336 Piece of brown tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
77-37-70/11692 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Pitcairn Island
Small kapa fragment
85-7-70/37613 Small kapa fragment
Tapa
Honolulu County
Hand-painted tapa, Hiapo
11-2-70/83961 Hand-painted tapa, Hiapo
Tapa
Niue
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.2 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
48-49-70/2922 Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
Felted
Samoa
Kapa
94-10-70/48375 Kapa
Tapa
Hawaii County
White tapa cloth
98-8-70/51691 White tapa cloth
Tapa
Fiji