Posted 8 years ago
antiquesan…
(1413 items)
A very unique piece of artwork , the paper is specially made by tribal ceremony from the pulp of a certain tree or plant , then inked in a specific pattern, all of the designs are made by some custom and traditions, Hawaiians make similar artwork to this ,but I don't believe this one is Hawaiian, reminds me of Batik except this is ink on paper and not dyed on cloth. It has Peru scratched into the back of the frame.
More likely FIJI.
Tapa is what I had always called it but there is another name: MASI.
"... very special. Fijian Masi Art is one traditional art form that's surviving and thriving on the tiny Fijian islands. ... It involves stripping small sections of paper bark from the mulberry tree."
This explains the process: http://www.lostateminor.com/2014/07/03/fijians-create-amazing-traditional-masi-art/
Thank You! vetraio50 for that wonderful link!
it's very similar to 'tunu' which is made from the inner bark of a rubber tree in central and south america. the tribe i lived with in Honduras - the Tawahka - used to make raincoats, blankets, decorations etc... with it.