Tapa Samoa - Lot 141

Tapa Samoa Late 19th century, early 20th century Chinese mulberry (Broussonetia papyfera) plant dyes, Chinese mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), the red-brown extracted from the bark of Bischofia javanica. red/brown obtained from the bark of various species of mangrove (Rhizophora). H. 237 cm - L. 170 cm Provenance : French private collection of a decorator, Paris As sacred as they are aesthetic, tapas, composed of a rich variation of assembled geometric motifs, played a major role in religious ceremonies. Made from skilfully woven bark, bound and connected by a sophisticated, ancestral technique, they were also used for clothing, offerings and domestic items. On this long, rectangular tapestry, the borders are decorated with friezes composed of rectangles alternately highlighted in ecru and brown. The eye is drawn inwards by a skilful interplay of rectangular shapes, narrowed towards the center by bands and differently decorated friezes. In the center, a long, thin rectangular shape frames a succession of dark concentric circles on a light background, symbolizing petals, followed by other very fine friezes on which the motif known as fa'a anufe appears, signifying the caterpillar, the larva before its metamorphosis. The faded yellow, now ecru, commonly known as nonuvao, is extracted from the root of the noni tree (Morinda), famous in Polynesia for its medicinal fruits. This color was rarely used on ancient fabrics, and has now disappeared from tapa "knowledge brokers". Expert: Aurore KRIER-MARIANI - 06 17 18 11 36