Description:

Oceania, Polynesia, Tongan or Samoan, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden tapa bark beater displaying brown and russet hues as well as attractive surface luster. The tool exhibits a thick, rectangular beater head, a gently corseted handle, and a flared pommel. Two faces of the beater head bear trios of vertically incised striations, and the remaining 2 faces are smooth and unadorned. The grooves on these faces enabled the artisan to beat the tapa bark fibers gently yet consistently into a uniform thickness without breaking or otherwise damaging the delicate material. Size: 12.625" L x 2.2" W (32.1 cm x 5.6 cm)

Cf. The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), registration number FE002974.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#141421

  • Condition: Minor nicks and abrasions to pommel, handle, and beater head, with several stable hairline fissures across most surfaces, otherwise intact and very good. Great surface smoothness, luster, and patina throughout. Old inventory label on one face of beater head.

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October 9, 2022 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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