Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, the "stuoie" are panels made by beating tree bark; they are not simply decorative elements, but real traditional artifacts known throughout Oceania by the Polynesian name tapa. Tapa is an unwoven cloth obtained from the inner layer of the bark (phloem) of specific trees, in particular the paper mulberry, the fig, or the breadfruit tree. Traditionally, production is undertaken by the women of the community through a long and meticulous process that first involves the Harvesting and Peeling of young branches cut. The second step, Beating, requires that the inner bark be immersed in water and then beaten repeatedly 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 fabric, suede-like. Once dry, the sheet is painted by hand 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 of belonging. Initially used as clothing for both men and women, then as ceremonial mats to host village chiefs or as objects to be gifted at important social events such as weddings or funerals. Today they adorn the ceilings and interior façades of the great men’s ceremonial houses, depicting the spirits of the ancestors. A beautiful art object, a precious item to collect. 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 exemplary: it shows the real object within an artificially generated scenography. The aim is to show how precious the objects up for auction are and how well they fit in different environments, all highly refined. Thank you for your attention. Happy bidding.