Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A fine tapa cloth beater, hand-carved from a caramel-hued hard wood. The beater has a lengthy conical handle and a cylindrical beating head with a rounded top. Featuring a petite circular indentation at its peak, the head of the beater is incised with a grid pattern meant to evenly flatten the fibers of the tapa bark intended for creating textiles. Tapa cloths are traditionally made by beating the inner bark of mulberry (or similar trees) until it is soft and pliable, and then painted using a palette of naturally-occurring pigments. This example is a solid, elegant tool used to create true works of art. Size: 2.75" in diameter x 15.675" H (7 cm x 39.8 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#142258

  • Condition: Expected surface wear and abrasions with stable fissures across handle and head, and some small nicks to head, all commensurate with age and use. Light earthen deposits and fabulous patina throughout.

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February 25, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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