beslutsunderlag, förvärv

Beskrivning av förvärvet: The proposed accession consists of one section of decorated barkcloth/ngatu/tapa from Tonga which measures approximately 360 x 166 cm. Decorative motifs have been painted on one side of the barkcloth. It was collected in the late 1920s by the grandfather of the donor who was working on passenger ships in the Western Pacific at the time. The barkcloth is just a small section of what would have been a much longer textile. It may have been a long barkcloth used in a wedding or some other ceremonial event. It was usual to cut up large barkcloth up into sections to present as gifts to people, and it is likely this was the case here. There is a family story connected with this barkcloth that the collector may have had the opportunity to marry the King of Tonga’s daughter. This is very unlikely due to social and status hierarchies and responsibilities within Tongan royal society. Perhaps the barkcloth was made for a wedding, possibly a royal wedding, and that is where this story originated. However, there are no motifs or insignia present on the object to indicate a royal connection.
Typ av förvärv: Donation från Camilla Hansson.