The Typical creation of a Tappa
Some of these tapas came from the Lau Islands, just east of Fiji and may be one of the last creations by the Natives, prior to White-man’s intervention.
Tappas are made from the bark of a Mulberry tree grown on the islands. The bark is peeled off the tree and washed many, many times. It is then bleached the natural way, a little water and sunlight. Placed over the trunk of a tree, the washed, bleached bark is then beaten repeatedly with a log or club to flatten. Pieces are laid together, overlapping on the edges, and then beaten again on the edges for joining them together and to achieve a flat surface.
The pieces are then painted with natural materials, be it clay, charcoal or resins from various trees to achieve the proper coloring and design. Paintbrushes were created from twigs or small branches, and the tips were chewed to create a frayed paintbrush.
Each island had their own style of designs and from the design, it can be determined exactly which island had created it.
This process was handed down thru generations of tribe members. The tapa cloth was used as a cloth for clothing, or eating mats or floor mats. Sometimes they were used as decorations on the sides of their huts.
The preservation of the tapa is to gently wipe with a damp cloth. Using Linseed oil can cause mildew & many other oils may attract insects.
Tappas are made from the bark of a Mulberry tree grown on the islands. The bark is peeled off the tree and washed many, many times. It is then bleached the natural way, a little water and sunlight. Placed over the trunk of a tree, the washed, bleached bark is then beaten repeatedly with a log or club to flatten. Pieces are laid together, overlapping on the edges, and then beaten again on the edges for joining them together and to achieve a flat surface.
The pieces are then painted with natural materials, be it clay, charcoal or resins from various trees to achieve the proper coloring and design. Paintbrushes were created from twigs or small branches, and the tips were chewed to create a frayed paintbrush.
Each island had their own style of designs and from the design, it can be determined exactly which island had created it.
This process was handed down thru generations of tribe members. The tapa cloth was used as a cloth for clothing, or eating mats or floor mats. Sometimes they were used as decorations on the sides of their huts.
The preservation of the tapa is to gently wipe with a damp cloth. Using Linseed oil can cause mildew & many other oils may attract insects.
Slideshow - Press the "Play" button |
4 Dinner Size Tappa Place MatsThe slideshow presents a full view of each mat followed by a more detailed view of the same mat.
Each mat is approximately ____ " x ____" Offered as a set of 4 for $2000 |
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Framed MolaBeautifully handcrafted and created by the ____ people. All hand stitched from .....
Measures __" x __" The slideshow to the left features the full mola and detailed photos of each panel. Offered for $2000 |