Descriptions

Barkcloth from Hawaii is called kapa and was made from the bark fibres of the paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera). It was used locally to serve as wrapping for important people and to contain objects. It was also an exchange valuable. Europeans enjoyed the cloth’s rich designs during their encounters with the Pacific islanders. It is possible that this item and eight other examples are the same as those listed in the museum register as samples donated by the Devon & Exeter Institution in 1868.

This object is not on display.