Bark Cloth

A natural-colored bark cloth (tapa) made of the inner bark of a tree. A patterned bark beater was used in its production, leaving visible markings in the cloth. There are parallel line markings and mesh-like markings throughout the tapa. The pattern is similar to the Hawaiian bark-cloth beater pattern, maka upena (net mesh).

The tapa was acquired during the United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842) by Titian R. Peale. The object is identified on Peale's list as a 'Tapa or bark cloth before printing'.

Bark cloth is produced from the inner bark of a tree, typically paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), which is cultivated, harvested, and processed through soaking, scraping, fermenting, and repeated beating to form and refine the cloth. Patterned beaters may be used during production to create watermarks that can reflect regional styles or maker affiliations.

Bark cloth was utilized in a variety of ways across Oceania, primarily for practical applications such as clothing and bedding. Beyond these utilitarian functions, it also played an important role in ceremonial contexts, including funerary practices and formal exchange presentations.