The fabric produced was often thick and cardboard-like, and had to be sewn together when making skirts or loincloths.  Bone or wooden needles were used, and the thread was made from bark fibre.

‘Conserving Curiosities’, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Though there are a variety of local names, the word tapa, originally from Tahiti, is commonly used to refer to bark cloth made all over the world.

Tapa Cloth, Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon

Many of the pieces of tapa in Shaw's book are from Hawaii.  These samples were almost certainly brought back from Cook's third voyage.

‘Conserving Curiosities’, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Hawaiian barkcloth reached a high level of sophistication, due in part to the climate of the islands, which was very suitable for the growth of the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) and the breadfruit (Artocarpus incisa), which were the sources of the bark. 

‘Conserving Curiosities’, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Dyes and pigments were obtained from a wide range of sources, mainly from plants but minerals such as red and yellow ochre were also used.  Tapa was often scented, with plants such as a fragrant fern (Polypodium phymatodes), sandalwood (Santalum spp.) and ginger.

‘Conserving Curiosities’, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Once dyed, decoration was applied to the surface of the tapa in many ways.  Many of the Shaw barkcloth samples are decorated with bold geometric designs, which were common in eighteenth century Hawaiian tapa.

‘Conserving Curiosities’, Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Documenting patterns and cloth styles from eighteenth century Tahiti, Hawaii and Tonga, this unusual work introduced Pacific tapa to the western world.