Very Large Old Traditional Ngatu Tapa Bark Cloth Tonga Age Patina
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Very Large Old Traditional Ngatu Tapa Bark Cloth Tonga Age Patina

$2,500.00

Very Large Old Traditional Ngatu Tapa Bark Cloth Tonga Age Patina

This is a ngatu decorated bark or tapa cloth from Tonga. It is made from the inner bark of hiapo (paper mulberry tree). Artists strip pieces of bark and using an ike (mallet), they beat them, widening and joining them together to make larger pieces of cloth.

We offer only the painting on canvas, without a frame. It will be sent in a roll or cylinder due to its large size.

Measurements: 174cm (68 inches) x 91cm (36 inches)

The condition is very good, with strong colors and has an indigenous African symbolism.

Significance

Ngatu are considered to be significant gifts in any ceremony in Tonga and are also regarded as valuable by Tongans living overseas. Tonga and Fiji are important centres of modern tapa manufacture, and very large pieces continue to be made for ceremonial purposes. This ngatu is cut from a much larger finished piece. At this size it is known by makers as a fola`osi in that it comprises of five columns.

Using pattern blocks called kupesi, groups of women make rubbings through the tapa which they overpaint or decorate with freehand drawing. Using natural dyes and pigments they decorate the ngatu with motifs and patterns taken from the natural environment or associated with important people and events. Some of the events may be very local in nature, others reference bigger occasions.

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Very Large Old Traditional Ngatu Tapa Bark Cloth Tonga Age Patina

This is a ngatu decorated bark or tapa cloth from Tonga. It is made from the inner bark of hiapo (paper mulberry tree). Artists strip pieces of bark and using an ike (mallet), they beat them, widening and joining them together to make larger pieces of cloth.

We offer only the painting on canvas, without a frame. It will be sent in a roll or cylinder due to its large size.

Measurements: 174cm (68 inches) x 91cm (36 inches)

The condition is very good, with strong colors and has an indigenous African symbolism.

Significance

Ngatu are considered to be significant gifts in any ceremony in Tonga and are also regarded as valuable by Tongans living overseas. Tonga and Fiji are important centres of modern tapa manufacture, and very large pieces continue to be made for ceremonial purposes. This ngatu is cut from a much larger finished piece. At this size it is known by makers as a fola`osi in that it comprises of five columns.

Using pattern blocks called kupesi, groups of women make rubbings through the tapa which they overpaint or decorate with freehand drawing. Using natural dyes and pigments they decorate the ngatu with motifs and patterns taken from the natural environment or associated with important people and events. Some of the events may be very local in nature, others reference bigger occasions.