Women’s Tapa Wallet

Polynesian crafts made from plant fibers, beaten tapa, and traditional decoration

Tapa is made from plant bark, mainly paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), but also breadfruit and banyan trees. The bark is stripped, soaked to soften it, then beaten by hand with a grooved mallet called an ike on a wooden anvil. This process widens and intertwines the fibers to form a flexible and resistant fabric.

Once omnipresent in everyday life and rituals, tapa was used for polynesian clothing, ceremonies, and prestigious objects. Today, it is mainly used for decorative and utilitarian items, adorned with geometric patterns or inspired by Polynesian tattoos. This women’s tapa wallet is part of this continuity, between heritage and contemporary use.

Pair it with a plain outfit—black, white, or natural linen—to let the patterns and texture of the tapa give the ensemble character.

Care and maintenance advice

• Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture
• Do not wash or immerse in water
• Handle with care to preserve the fibers
• Dry clean gently if necessary

Product features:

• Type: women’s tapa wallet
• Patterns: Polynesian graphic design
• Dimensions when closed: 11.5 × 26.5 cm
• Dimensions when open: 31 × 26.5 cm
• Weight: 0.060 kg
• Origin: French Polynesia, Marquesas tradition (Fatu Hiva)

Wood type:

• White or off-white: Paper mulberry bark (Ute in Marquesan)
• Pinkish beige: Breadfruit bark (Uru)
• Yellow: Paper mulberry bark soaked in grated turmeric juice
• Light brown: Rubber tree bark
• Dark brown: Banyan bark

Polynesian symbols: Textile ink