Description:

**Originally Listed At $2250**

Polynesia, Tahiti, Society Islands, 19th century CE. This important tool is truly a Tahitian masterwork. Finely carved from a single piece of wood, this tapa beater features a smooth, columnar handle with a rounded end. The ample body of the tool takes on the form of an elongated cuboid volume to create the actual pounding surface. This surface is nicely incised with thin vertical lines on all four sides, which further aids in the tapa pounding process. Size: 2.375" W x 15.5" H (6 cm x 39.4 cm); 16.875" H (42.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Tapa is a particular kind of bark cloth that is made in the South Pacific Islands, mainly Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, but also as far afield as Hawaii and New Zealand. The cloth is of great social importance and is often given as a gift; however, prior to the introduction of synthetic fabrics, it was also used for everyday wear. The process for making it is complex and almost ritualistic. First, the paper mulberry tree is cut, the bark is stripped, and the inner bark retained and sun dried, then soaked. After this, the bark is beaten using a tool like this one. The sound of the tapa being beaten creates a rhythmic musical backdrop as the work is being done. The strips are then beaten together using plant starch to form a large sheet; the edges of this sheet are then trimmed using a knife or sharp shell. Finally, the tapa sheet is beautifully painted using stencils made from coconut.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Brant Mackley collection, Pennsylvania, USA, 2008

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#154531

  • Condition: A few hairline age cracks. Nicks/chips to peripheries. Abraded areas to fluted sides. Nice lustrous patina. Old inventory label on handle.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

September 1, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
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