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Overview
This is a very finely decorated, complete rectangular piece of masi. Seven concentric bands of different stencilled motifs lie around the edges, they are mostly black, but one is brown. There is then a band that is decorated with round black motifs in the corners and the centres of each side. The central part of the masi has a light brown painted background, except where further concentric stencilled bands form two large triangles that extend inwards from the short edges, their tips just meeting in the centre. Inside each triangle is a smaller triangle and on the brown background between each inner and outer triangle sit three black circular motifs. In each of the two remaining parts of the central area, a large concentric circular motif is flanked by two smaller stencilled flower motifs.
Wedding gift
A uniquely Fijian technique of stencilling was used to create the fine, intricate pattern of repeat motifs on this masi (tapa).
Kerela Imanueli made this masi for her daughter. Eventually, it was given to her granddaughter Ruve Tuivoavoa and Ruve's husband as a wedding gift to be placed on the bridal bed.It was purchased by the