Tapa Cloth 1800 - 1825

This triangular “Tapa Cloth” from the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a fine example of traditional Polynesian textile art. Created between 1800 and 1825 by an anonymous artist, the cloth is made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree, which is beaten and layered to create a strong and durable fabric. The intricate design features two bands of patterned borders, using natural dyes, that are characteristic of tapa cloth from this period. Tapa cloth was used for a variety of purposes, including clothing, bedding, and ceremonial objects, and played an important role in the social and cultural life of the Polynesian people.