**Originally Listed At $350** Oceania, Solomon Islands Archipelago, ca. early 20th century CE. A fabulous, hand-carved wood tapa beater presenting a cuboid form with a slender handle, a slightly raised guard, and an elongated head that gently flares out to a pyramidal top. Boasting a light brown woodgrain surface, the impressive implement is incised with 5 to 6 vertical striations on each face of the head, while an "X" motif adorns each side of the guard. Tapa is a kind of bark cloth that is made in the South Pacific Islands, mainly Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, but also as far afield as Hawaii and New Zealand. Tapa was introduced to the western world in the late 18th century by Captain Cook s first expedition, where it was collected under the direction of Joseph Banks and brought to Europe. Size: 16.9" L x 1.9" W (42.9 cm x 4.8 cm) Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #141426品相报告: Expected surface wear with nicks, scratches, and abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.