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Object Number 48-49-70/2922
Display Title Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
Descriptions
Object Description Medium weight cloth of off-white beaten inner bark fibers; two layers of bark strips beaten together cross grain incorporating a starch-type adhesive; individual bark strips distinctly identifiable and are joined by overlapping; many naturally occurring branch holes present throughout the individual layers; the cloth appears to be a portion cut from a larger whole; three of its edges are cut while a single edge retains its original manufacture related rough finish; the cloth is decorated with an orange-brown dye-like colorant by rubbing over a geometrically patterned design (leaf design) tablet; a broad border along one edge has been left undecorated by rubbing--free hand applied overlapping brush strokes occur within the border; the orange-brown colorant is more distinct on one side of the cloth than on the other.
Inventory Description Tapa cloth, rectangular, dyed brown with natural strip one side, linear design
Classification
  • Felted
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Samoa
Dimensions Overall: 208 x 161 cm (81 7/8 x 63 3/8 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 48-49-70/2922
Provenance
Donor Donated by Pilgrim Society
Donor Donated by Rose Briggs

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