Ancient painted bark (Tapa) decorated with interlocking patt - Lot 189

Ancient painted bark (Tapa) decorated with interlocking patterns of lines, dots and shapes evoking linear structures. Height Approx. 57.5 cm when viewed. Width: approx. 81 cm when viewed. Provenance: former Galerie Annamelle, Paris, 1984-1994. Tapa are beaten bark fabrics made by the Mbuti Pygmies, inhabitants of the Ituri equatorial forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These geometric patterns, often inspired by nature and the spiritual world, are symbolic representations of their environment. Lines and dots may evoke paths, animal tracks or elements of the forest landscape, while linear structures recall shelters or hunting traps. Used for rituals, these fabrics are also a means of artistic expression, reflecting the identity and beliefs of this nomadic people.