*** before purchasing. Please message me to discuss if you want it on the board or rolled and shipped. I will adjust the shipping accordingly***
or buy-it-now is a stunning, authentic large-scale Fijian Masi Kesa (tapa barkcloth) dating to the 1960s/1970s. This impressive piece measures approximately 40" x 60" and is a premier example of mid-century Pacific Island folk art. The textile features complex, multi-layered geometric registers, central medallion symbols, and the iconic, rare natural fiber tassels (kesukesu) intact down the vertical center panels.The entire piece comes pre-mounted onto a rigid plywood backing board equipped with a heavy-duty hanging wire on the back. It is sturdy, completely flat, and structurally ready to be hung on a wall immediately without needing additional framing hardware.Design & CraftsmanshipAuthentic Materials: Hand-beaten paper mulberry tree bark (u'a) showing rich organic textures.Traditional Pigments: Crisp, deep charcoal-black and rich reddish-brown tones derived from traditional mangrove bark dyes and earth clays.Labor-Intensive Execution: The intricate stenciling shows beautiful, organic, hand-crafted variations—confirming it was created using traditional Pacific artisan techniques rather than modern silk-screening.Condition Report (Please Read Carefully)Left & Center Panels: Excellent vintage condition. The graphic stenciling is sharp, vibrant, and incredibly well-preserved for its 50+ year age, showing a beautiful warm patina cream background.Right Edge Damage: There is severe localized material loss, shredding, and paper loss confined entirely to the lower right border area. A previous owner has touched up the exposed backing board with black paint to mask the missing cloth fibers (see close-up photos).Collector Potential: This piece is an excellent candidate for a designer float-frame or a custom mat board that hides the right border, which would isolate a flawless 40" x 40" pristine square panel. Priced accordingly for this localized wear.Shipping & LogisticsSize: 40" x 60" (Rigid plywood backing, cannot be rolled).
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