Skip to main content
Object Number 18-2-70/D1102
Display Title Tapa cloth
Descriptions
Object Description Tapa cloth. Siapo mamanu. Rectangular, pounded off-white inner bark fibers The cloth is composed of two layers (in some areas three layers) beaten and pasted together with the fiber grains of each running parallel to the length. The overall application of paste yields a relatively stiff hand. Small branch holes are present regularly throughout the cloth. The finishing edges are cut. One side is decorated with a handpainted design comprising of a boarder with four bands of checkerboard patterns along the width that seperates motifs of zig-zag bands and diagonal lines. Three types of dyes or pigments appear to be present, a reddish brown (also present on the under layer) and a black brown which is applied over the the first; and a black ink or dye. There is no beatter pattern present.
Inventory Description Tapa cloth, rectangular, painted black, brown and red geometric design
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Samoa?
Dimensions Overall: 157 x 103 cm (61 13/16 x 40 9/16 in.)
Quantity 1
Provenance
Collector Mrs. Sidney Clementson

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
Tapa cloth
14-23-70/85657 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Bark cloth, Samoan siapo
999-18-70/5804 Bark cloth, Samoan siapo
Tapa
Oceania
Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
48-49-70/2922 Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
Felted
Samoa
Tapa
80-24-70/23087.2 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Piece of tapa cloth
34-137-70/299 Piece of tapa cloth
Tapa
Niaufo'ou (Tin Can Island)
Tapa cloth
99-15-70/53901 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
11-2-70/83931 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
77-37-70/11692 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Pitcairn Island
Small kapa cloth sample
71-8-70/2899 Small kapa cloth sample
Tapa
Hawaii
Tapa cloth
973-24-70/5365 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa?
Tapa
85-7-70/37624 Tapa
Tapa
Honolulu County
Decorated tapa
99-15-70/53900 Decorated tapa
Tapa
Samoa