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Samoan, Samoa

Long wrap skirt (lavalava), ca. 1940-1950

Description

Maker

Unknown

Culture

Samoan

Title

Long wrap skirt (lavalava)

Year

ca. 1940-1950

Medium

Beaten bark fiber, freehand painting with cut border

Materials/Techniques

Materials

bark

Techniques

Dimensions

Length: 124.5 cm (49 inches)

Place

Samoa

Type

Textiles

Credit

Gift of Captain and Mrs. Robert Chew

Object Number

46.494

Exhibition History

Cloth Without Weaving

November 1, 2000 - February 18, 2001

Slight design variations within the 12 similarly patterned panels add rhythmic movement to this freehand painted composition. The piece appears to have been inspired by nontraditional sources. The 12 panels are reminiscent of striped zebra hide, and the scalloped border could be the tapamaker's interpretation of European lace edging. Throughout the 20th century, new motifs derived from other cultures entered the visual vocabulary of Pacific barkcloth designers.

Pacific Islands Tapa Cloth

July 17 - October 18, 1992

Use

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