Hand painted south pacific tapa cloth. Purchased in New Caledonia 1943-1945.

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Hand painted south pacific tapa cloth. Purchased in New Caledonia 1943-1945.:
$202.50

Tapa cloth, purchased by my father on New Caledonia, during the time he was stationed there during World War II, 1943-1945. It measures approximately 114” X 80”. One panel has words: MATAVAI., MAÉU. and TUAÍPEA. MATAVAI may be describing a bay on the North coast of Tahiti. I have not been able to find in a source of the meaning of the other two words. There are a few places where the cloth has thinned out, and one place where a tear has been stabilized by stitching in white cotton fabric (please see photos for details). . Sale is final - no returns.