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Tapa (barkcloth) by the Mbuti of the Republic of the Congo, Africa / Tapestry
$1,000
£755.55
€865.63
CA$1,395.32
A$1,520.83
CHF 804.05
MX$18,307.93
NOK 10,205.41
SEK 9,356.27
DKK 6,466.29
About the Item
This is tapa (bark cloth) made by the Mbuti people, also known as pygmies, an indigenous people who live in the Ituri Forest, which stretches from northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa, near the border with Uganda. It is believed to have been made around the 20th century.
Tapa is a cloth made using a very primitive yet sophisticated technique: bark stripped from tree trunks is soaked in water, beaten to loosen the fibers, and then stretched into a cloth. While similar examples exist throughout Africa and Oceania, Mbuti tapa is known for its particularly free-flowing expression. (Reference materials excerpted from specialist books are included, so please take a look.)
What's unique about this cloth is that it isn't a finished "painting," but rather features improvised patterns drawn by women. Natural pigments are used, and the lines are drawn without rulers or outlines, relying solely on physical sensations. The resulting patterns are highly geometric, yet somehow organic, possessing the strength of abstract painting.
Naturally, these pieces were not created with the intention of being appreciated as works of art. They were created out of necessity, as part of rituals, daily life, or decoration. For this reason, they are free of greed or calculation, and possess a surprisingly pure and spontaneous expression.
While there is no clear interpretation of the meaning of the patterns, many Mbuti motifs are said to be abstractions of nature itself, such as plants, animals, and the sounds and rhythms of the forest. The repetitive lines and shapes seen in this piece are likely fragments of their everyday world, such as natural objects in the forest or animal tracks.
Over the years, the fabric has developed a soft, off-white color, and the edges display natural fluctuations and fraying. Rather than a perfectly symmetrical rectangle, the uneven contours, born from beating and stretching the bark, add to the piece's appeal. When hung on the wall, a texture completely different from that of paper or canvas is added to the space, creating a quiet sense of tension and depth.
It complements modern furniture, minimalist spaces, rustic wooden furniture, and even stone Buddha statues. Simply fastening it to the wall with thin pins or nails enhances the overall impression of the space. This is a rare piece of textile art that exudes a strong presence without being overly assertive.
Dimensions (when hung):
Width: Approx. 52.5 cm
Depth: Approx. 0.1 cm
Height: Approx. 62.5 cm
Weight: Extremely lightweight.
Item Number:
OB316
A unique piece born from the intersection of nature and human activity.
Opportunities to find a Mbuti tapa of similar quality and ambiance are likely to be extremely limited. It is highly recommended as both an interior piece and a piece of folk art/primitive art.
- Dimensions:Height: 24.61 in (62.5 cm)Width: 20.67 in (52.5 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sammu-shi, JP
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5487248099462
About the Seller
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