Tonga Tapa Cloth 2335

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. 

Dimensions: 18” x 32”

Date of Manufacture:  1st Quarter of the 1900s

Place of Origin: Tonga, Oceania

Material: Bark Cloth

Condition: Good

SKU: 2335

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