MADE BY HAND
Masi — bark cloth
What we know
- Masi is bark cloth made by soaking and beating the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree.
- It is decorated with stencilled and hand-painted patterns in black and red-brown dyes.
- Masi is used in important ceremonies such as weddings, births and funerals; Vatulele and Moce are known for it.
Words in this chapter
masi — this chapter is where the museum explains this word. See the whole glossary →
Pictures in this chapter
Wedding bark cloth (gatu vakaviti), Fiji, 19th century — Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Fijian royal tapa cloth, 19th century, Neiman Marcus Collection, Honolulu store (2014)
Masi (bark cloth), Fiji, Island of Oneata Lau, 20th century, Honolulu Academy of Arts (2012)
Masi (barkcloth) from Fiji, 20th century, Honolulu Museum of Art (2012)
Barkcloth ( masi ), Fiji, Bishop Museum, accession 1456.008.036 (2013)
Fijian royal tapa cloth, 19th century, Neiman Marcus Collection, Honolulu store (2014)
Masi kesa (painted Fijian bark cloth), 20th century, Honolulu Museum of Art Lending Collection, L.2023-18-01
Masi kesa (painted bark cloth), Fiji, about 1850–90 — shown at the National Museum of Qatar
Masi kesa (painted bark cloth), Fiji, about 1850–90 — second view
Tapa cloth with black designs and fringe, Fiji, collected 1930 - Pacific collection - Peabody Museum, Harvard University
Sources
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