Polynesia - Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, “stools” are panels made by beating tree bark. They are not merely furnishings, but true traditional artisans’ works known throughout Oceania by the Polynesian name tapa. Tapa is a non-woven cloth obtained from the inner layer of the bark (the phloem) of specific trees, particularly the paper mulberry, the fig tree, or the breadfruit tree. Production is traditionally carried out by the women of the community through a long and meticulous process that first involves the collection and debarking of young branches. The second step, pounding, requires the inner bark to be soaked in water and then repeatedly beaten on stone or wooden anvils with smooth or grooved hammers. This process causes the fibers to expand, transforming the strip of wood into a soft, suede-like fabric. Once dry, the sheet is hand-painted or printed using natural pigments derived from earths, clays, charcoal, and plant juices. The graphic motifs are strongly geometric or linked to totemic plants and animals that identify the specific clan or family. Initially used as clothing for both men and women, later as ceremonial mats to host village chiefs or as gifts for important social events such as weddings or funerals. Today they decorate the ceilings and inner facades of the large “ceremonial houses” of men, depicting the spirits of the ancestors. A beautiful decorative object, a precious collectible item. A necessary clarification. The final image of our photographic gallery is obtained with the help of AI software. The purpose is purely aesthetic but also demonstrative: it shows the real object within an artificially generated setting. The aim is to illustrate how valuable the items up for auction are and how well they fit into different, highly refined environments. Thank you for your attention. Good auction.