Lot 310
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Oceania, Polynesia, Samoa, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A large and impressive bark cloth textile made from paper mulberry trees which are widely known as tapa and in Samoa as siapo. The painted decorations are in two tones forming squares filled with geometric shapes that represent many objects from traditional life: cross hatching as nets, wavy lines symbolizing coconut leaves / fiber, diamonds for trochus shells, and the X shapes often symbolize bird wings or footprints in sand. Tapa cloths are still used today for ceremonial occasions - sometimes made into clothing and masks for dances or offerings for marriages and funerals- as well as impressive room dividers or wall decorations. The mulberry tree was introduced to the South Pacific from Southeast Asia at an unknown point in the past and was used by many island cultures in the region for producing these gorgeous textiles. Size: 60" L x 53" W (152.4 cm x 134.6 cm)
The process for making this valuable cloth is detailed and almost ritualistic. First, the paper mulberry tree is cut, and the bark is stripped, and the inner bark retained and sun dried, then soaked. After this, the bark is beaten on a wooden anvil using wooden beater mallets, and the rhythmic sound of the beating is often described as a musical backdrop as the work is being done. The strips are then beaten together using plant starch to form a large sheet, whose edges are then trimmed using a knife or sharp shell. The piece is then painted using imprinting, stencils, or freehand designs.
Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
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#170946
- Condition: Tearing and fraying to peripheries. Stored folded and permanent creases and fraying to these areas. Perforations through center and losses to edges. We recommend displaying unfolded to preserve the textile. Fine display piece with bold patterns.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |