Tapa Cloth Item Number: 2906/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large rectangular tapa cloth. The base colour of the cloth is stained a medium brown, with unpainted strips of light brown on either end. The cloth is painted with a dark brown, possibly oil based, pigment in squares with repeating patterns of birds, animals, outdoors scenes with a house, tree, sun, moon and star, a Tongan shield motif, and a central panel with triangles, lines, and lettering. At each end is a light brown strip with a bird and number in each square; 18 to 21 at one end, 19 to 22 at the other end.
Specific Techniques
The pattern is made by rubbing over a kupesi (pattern block).
Item History
- Made in Tonga before 1983
- Collected during 1982
- Owned by John Nightingale before July 27, 2011
- Received from John Nightingale (Donor) on July 27, 2011
What
- Name
- Tapa Cloth
- Identification Number
- 2906/1
- Type of Item
- tapa cloth
- Material
- paper mulberry bark, pigment and paint
- Overall
- height 405.0 cm, width 180.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tongan
- Previous Owner
- John Nightingale
- Received from
- John Nightingale (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tonga
When
- Creation Date
- before 1983
- Collection Date
- during 1982
- Ownership Date
- before July 27, 2011
- Acquisition Date
- on July 27, 2011
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 2906/0001