Skip to main content
Object Number 77-37-70/11692
Display Title Tapa cloth
Descriptions
Object Description Tapa cloth. Nearly square, unpigmented, medium weight cloth composed of pounded off-white inner bark fibers. Several layer are present, however this is difficult to determine because the cloth is so finely worked or beaten together; the layers are in parallel grain directions. The edges of the cloth are cut; several small areas do retain an original pounded edge finish. The cloth has a surface texture made by a a beater; it has a fine ribbed pattern. Identifying marks and numbers: Two Peabody Museum catalogue numbers in red are present centrally on one side of the cloth. An inscription in black, "Tappa. Made from the leaves of the Paper Mulberry. Picairn Island. South Pacific Island."
Inventory Description Tapa, rectangular, buff with embossed lines, stained, creased from folding
Classification
  • Tapa
Department Ethnographic
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / United Kingdom / Pitcairn Island
Dimensions Overall: 88 x 70 cm (34 5/8 x 27 9/16 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 77-37-70/11692; 11.692 / Tappa. / Made from the leaves of the Paper Mulberry. /
Provenance
Collector Capt. I. S. Knowles
Donor Mrs. Lucien Carr (1877)

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
80-24-70/23087.2 Tapa
Tapa
Hawaii
Tapa cloth
14-23-70/85657 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Hand-painted tapa, Hiapo
11-2-70/83961 Hand-painted tapa, Hiapo
Tapa
Niue
Tapa
85-7-70/37624 Tapa
Tapa
Honolulu County
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.4 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.2 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Small kapa cloth sample
71-8-70/2899 Small kapa cloth sample
Tapa
Hawaii
Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.1 Lau'a, tapa in process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa
Piece of brown tapa cloth
36-45-70/336 Piece of brown tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Tapa cloth
96-25-70/49498.1 Tapa cloth
Tapa
Samoa
Kapa
94-10-70/48374 Kapa
Shirt
Hawaii County
Tapa in the process of manufacture
99-15-70/53889.3 Tapa in the process of manufacture
Tapa
Samoa