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Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
$1,450
£1,105.22
€1,274.75
CA$2,059.43
A$2,213.08
CHF 1,187.44
MX$26,068.71
NOK 14,930.80
SEK 13,639.19
DKK 9,526.98
About the Item
Early 20th century abstract tapa bark cloth from western Samoa with a royal coat of arms design. 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: 15” x 21”
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: 2337
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: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1900-1909
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Barrington, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 23371stDibs: LU8224248283292
About the Seller
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View AllEarly 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
Located in Barrington, IL
Early 20th century abstract tapa bark cloth from western Samoa with a royal coat of arms design. Hand-painted in deep brownish-black tones using traditional ‘o‘a sap blended with ch...
Category
Early 20th Century Tongan Tribal Art
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
Located in Barrington, IL
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-pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Tongan Tribal Art
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
Located in Barrington, IL
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-pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Tongan Tribal Art
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
Located in Barrington, IL
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-pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Tongan Tribal Art
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
Early 20th Century Abstract Tonga Tapa Cloth Aboriginal Art Of South Pacific
Located in Barrington, IL
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-pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Tongan Tribal Art
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
Ewe Kente Cloth of Ashante Tribe Woven Textile
Located in Barrington, IL
This vibrant hand-woven Kente cloth is an authentic West African textile created within the esteemed Ewe–Asante (Ashanti) weaving tradition of Ghana, one of Africa’s most celebrated and historically significant textile arts. Woven from a luxurious blend of silk and cotton, this piece reflects generations of master craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
The design features a dynamic palette of magenta, green, golden yellow, and deep black, arranged in rhythmic geometric bands that are both visually powerful and symbolically rich. In traditional Kente language, these colors represent vitality, growth, prosperity, and spiritual strength, making the textile not only decorative but deeply meaningful.
Kente cloths were historically worn by royalty and nobility and used in ceremonial and important social occasions, symbolizing status, wisdom, and cultural identity. Today, authentic Kente is highly sought after by collectors and interior designers for its bold graphic presence and refined hand-woven texture.
Dimensions: 80” x 135”
Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1900s
Place of Origin: Ghana, Africa
Material: Silk, Cotton
Condition: Good
The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 2323
African Kente Cloth, Ewe Kente Textile, Ashanti Kente, Hand Woven African Textile, Ghanaian Kente Cloth, Silk And Cotton Kente, African Wall Hanging, Tribal Textile Art, Vintage African Fabric, Ghana Textile...
Category
Late 20th Century Ghanaian Rugs
Materials
Cotton, Silk
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