Tapa / cloth

Description

One of three barkcloth ('ahu) samples attached to a card, this example is decorated on one side with alternating red and black zig zags : Polynesian, Tahiti, Society Islands, Polynesia, 18th century

Museum reference

A.UC.417 A

Collection

Oceania

Object name

Tapa / cloth

Production information

Tahiti, Society Islands, French Polynesia, Polynesia

Date

18th century

Materials

Barkcloth

Physical description

Piece of brown coloured card with three barkcloth samples including A.UC.417 A attached by cotton thread, with paper label stuck to bottom left corner: "Industrial Museum of Scotland. Tahitian Cloth from the Collection of the late Miss Fothergill of York; brought to this country in 1780-90 by her Uncle James Forbes, Author of Oriental Memoirs. Presented by A Lady". A. UC. 417 A: Rectangular section of barkcloth with three cut sides, discoloured white-cream in overall colour with decoration on one side consisting of alternating vertically facing red and black zig zags.

Associations

Forbes, James, 1780 - 1790 (fl.)
Miss Fothergill Collection