**Originally Listed At $300**

Polynesia, probably Tahiti, Society Islands, early to mid 20th century CE. Finely carved from a single piece of wood, this tapa beater has a smooth, columnar handle with a flat end and an ample body of the tool that takes on the form of an elongated cuboid volume to create the actual pounding surface. This surface is nicely incised with vertical incisions on three of its four sides, which further aid in the tapa pounding process. Size: 2" W at widest point x 11.5" H (5.1 cm x 29.2 cm)

Tapa is a particular kind of bark cloth that is made in the South Pacific Islands. The cloth is of great social importance and is often given as a gift; however, prior to the introduction of synthetic fabrics, it was also used for everyday wear. The process for making it is complex and almost ritualistic. First, the paper mulberry tree is cut, the bark is stripped, and the inner bark retained and sun dried, then soaked. After this, the bark is beaten using a tool like this one. The sound of the tapa being beaten creates a rhythmic musical backdrop as the work is being done. The strips are then beaten together using plant starch to form a large sheet; the edges of this sheet are then trimmed using a knife or sharp shell. Finally, the tapa sheet is beautifully painted using stencils made from coconut.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#142251

Normal surface wear with scuffs and abraded areas. Losses to some areas of the body of the beater likely due to impact from use. Nice age wear and lustrous patina especially on the handle, but also on some high-pointed areas. Some remains of tapa bark on the surface as well. A very nice example.