Skip to main content
Object Number 973-24-70/5365
Display Title Tapa cloth
Descriptions
Object Description Tapa cloth. Practically identical to 7363. Border frayed. Rectangular, medium weight, roughly pounded off white inner bark fibers. The cloth is composed of two layers pasted together. The fiber grain of the top layer runs vertically while the bottom layer runs horizontally. One side is decorated with a border of hand painted triangle swastika motifs surrounding geometric diamond shapes stencilled (stamped?) in circular patterns. Red and blue pigments are present, with some penetration of the colorants to the rear of the textile. A tie of natural, unprocessed leaf-like plant fiber is knotted through a hole in the right side (assuming the accession number is the top). One edge has been cut, shortening the original length of the cloth.
Inventory Description Tapa cloth, rectangular, painted geometric and sunburst design, frayed end
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Samoa?
Dimensions Overall: 175 x 135 cm (68 7/8 x 53 1/8 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 973-24-70/5365
Provenance
Collector Mr. Eliot Elisofon
Donor Donated by Estate of Eliot Elisofon

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
Piece of unfinished tapa
99-15-70/53890 Piece of unfinished tapa
Tapa
Samoa
Decorated kapa fragment
67-9-70/118 Decorated kapa fragment
Tapa
Hawaii
Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
48-49-70/2922 Piece of tapa - white with brown designs
Felted
Samoa
Tapa cloth
14-29-70/85716 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Fiji
Kapa
90-17-70/48431 Kapa
Tapa
Aitutaki
Tapa cloth
99-15-70/53904 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
18-2-70/D1102 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa?
Tapa
67-9-70/122 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Tapa cloth
14-29-70/85710 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Fiji
Tapa
967-32-70/4634 Tapa
Tapa
Tonga
Piece of tapa cloth
34-137-70/299 Piece of tapa cloth
Tapa
Niaufo'ou (Tin Can Island)
Tapa cloth
14-23-70/85657 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa