Kupesi

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Kupesi. Rubbing tablet. This is a contemporary Tongan rubbing tablet used to print ngatu (Tongan tapa). This kupesi reads "SIO PE KA KUO I AA" and is made up of tailors lining (interfacing), coconut midrib and synthetic cord. The borders and letters are formed by coconut midrib, attached to the tailors lining using synthetic strings. The stitches over the coconut leaflet midribs makes for a bumpy and contrasting texture against the smooth tailors lining. This is one of ten kupesi used to print a pair of ngatu 2018.35.1-.2.

Accession number: 2018.36.2 Last Update: 7 Sept 2023
Other Name

Patterned rubbing board (English)

Rubbing tablet (English)

Place
Falevai/Kapa/Vava'u Group/Tonga/Pacific
Accession Number

2018.36.2

Accession Date

14 Aug 2018

Department

Pacific

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kupesi, Tonga, 2018.36.2, Cultural Permissions Apply
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