Bark Cloth Beater (Ike Ni Masi)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-beaters
Date19th to early 20th Century
Made AtLomaiviti Province, Fiji
Collection SiteLomaiviti Province, Fiji
MediumWood
Dimensions13 × 2 × 2 in. (33 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Kristine Moe Shelton and Olise M. Mandat
Object number98.84.5
DescriptionBark cloth beaters were heavy sticks used to pound paper mulberry bark into a flat textile which could be printed on. Though this object was collected in Fiji, it is made in the style of Tongan bark cloth beaters, which tended to be heavier and wider than their Fijian counterparts. As was standard with these beaters, three of the sides were grooved, and the final side was flat to smoothen the cloth after beating it. This pounder is likely from the town of Somosomo in Gau Island, Fiji in the Lomaiviti Islands. Acquired by a millionaire who sailed through the region collection objects. Though a bronze label nailed to this object says it is from Ngua Island; the name of the island is now Gau Island.On View
Not on viewCollections
19th Century
20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
19th to 20th Century
20th Century
mid 20th Century