Tapa Cloth Item Number: C1319 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
The cloth is rectangular with designs covering the entire surface in dark red-brown, brown and black on a natural off-white background. There are ten rectangular panels with a diamond-shaped design in the natural colour and brown. The design differs from panel to panel in which aspects of the design are highlighted with black and dark brown dye. The backside also has the same diamond-shaped design painted in a lighter brown on the natural coloured cloth.
Specific Techniques
A wooden stamp board (upeti) was likely used, due to precision and uniformity of its designs.
Narrative
This tapa was noted as coming from Hawaii by the donor, so it was originally catalogued as Hawaiian. However, Halena Kapuni-Reynolds (Kanaka ‘Ōiwi/Native Hawaiian) said it appears to be of Samoan origin. She also noted that tapas should have an off-white border, suggesting this one has been cut.
Item History
- Made in Samoa ?
- Collected in Hawaii, USA
- Owned by Mrs. T. R. Penman before November 12, 1963
- Received from Mrs. T. R. Penman (Donor) on November 12, 1963
What
- Name
- Tapa Cloth
- Identification Number
- C1319
- Type of Item
- tapa cloth
- Material
- paper mulberry bark, dye and oil ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- pounded, stamped and painted
- Overall
- height 150.2 cm, width 128.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Samoan ?
- Previous Owner
- Mrs. T. R. Penman
- Received from
- Mrs. T. R. Penman (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Samoa ?
- Collected in
- Hawaii, USA
When
- Ownership Date
- before November 12, 1963
- Acquisition Date
- on November 12, 1963
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 2243/0001