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Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific

$1,600
£1,205.76
€1,408.78
CA$2,270.52
A$2,277.10
CHF 1,321.03
MX$27,800.47
NOK 15,301.31
SEK 15,659.86
DKK 10,531.95

About the Item

This striking early 20th century tapa bark cloth from Western Samoa and the greater Tongan cultural sphere is a rare and powerful example of Pacific Island textile artistry. Hand-painted in deep brownish-black tones using traditional ‘o‘a sap blended with charcoal derived from llama nut kernels, the richly resinous surface displays the distinctive matte-gloss patina prized in historic Samoan tapa. Unlike woven textiles, tapa is created through an ancient and highly labor-intensive process in which the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree is soaked, beaten, and stretched by hand until it forms a supple cloth-like surface. The overlapping fibers, organic irregularities, and tactile depth are not imperfections but hallmarks of authenticity—revealing the direct imprint of the maker’s hand and the raw material itself. The abstract freehand painted motifs are imbued with both rhythm and restraint, creating a visual language that feels simultaneously primal and modern. These gestural forms, achieved without mechanical tools, give the piece a quiet architectural presence, making it exceptionally well suited for contemporary interiors seeking grounded, global authenticity. Today, original antique tapa is increasingly rare, particularly examples of this scale and visual sophistication. Whether displayed as wall art, incorporated into a curated textile collection, or used as a focal point in a high-end interior, this piece offers collectors and designers an opportunity to own a culturally significant and visually arresting work of Oceanic heritage. Dimensions: 18” x 32” Date of Manufacture: 1st Quarter of the 1900s Place of Origin: Tonga, Oceania Material: Bark Cloth, Condition: Wear consistent with age and use The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 2335 Early 20th Century Tapa, Samoan Tapa Cloth, Tongan Bark Cloth, Oceanic Tribal Textile, Antique Pacific Island Art, Hand Painted Tapa, Abstract Tribal Wall Art, Paper Mulberry Bark Cloth, Ethnographic Textile, Primitive Textile Art, Indigenous Oceanic Art, Collector Tapa Cloth, Designer Wall Textile, Museum Quality Tribal Art.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Parchment Paper,Wood,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted
  • Place of Origin:
    Tonga
  • Period:
    Early 20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1900-1909
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Barrington, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 23351stDibs: LU8224248261402

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