Oceania, South Pacific, Hawaii, ca. early 20th century CE. A well-preserved, hand-carved wooden tapa beater with a short handle, cylindrical body, and flattened head. The body is carved with vertical grooves along the entire length which aid in the pounding process. The wood is a lustrous russet hue with a smooth patina. Tapa is a type of bark cloth that is made in the South Pacific Islands. 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 the tapa cloth is complex and almost ritualistic. First, the paper mulberry tree is cut, the bark is stripped, and the inner bark is sun dried, then soaked. After this, the bark is beaten using a beater like this one. The strips are then pounded 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. Size: 12.5" L x 1.5" W (31.8 cm x 3.8 cm)
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA Collection
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#142265
Condition
Abrasions to body. Scratches and abrasions to handle. Overall excellent condition with smooth patina.