kupesi

Kupesi. Rubbing tablet. This is a contemporary Tongan rubbing tablet used to print ngatu (Tongan tapa). This kupesi illustrates a koka'anga (ngatu-making work party), with ten people sitting on either side of the papa (wooden, convex table). It is made up of tailors lining (interfacing), coconut leaflet midrib and synthetic cord. The borders and illustration are formed by coconut midrib, stitched onto 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.