vendredi 6 mars 2015

Learn How To Buy Authentic Hawaiian Barkcloth Placemats

By Leslie Ball


Vintage fabrics continue to interest many people. These beautiful materials are finding their way into homes with both traditional and modern decor. Design professionals truly appreciate the value of the authentic items and well made replicas. Collectors often scour the Internet seeking good buys on inspirational patterns developed from decades ago. Home decor of many kinds feature copies of the most popular things, while the expensive originals also make their way into lucky homes.

Achieving collectible status very quickly are pieces that are easily bought and shipped through popular auction sites. When sellers can make a reasonable profit on shipping smaller vintage items, these decorator fabrics and useful items often turn up for sale. Included are many versions of Hawaiian barkcloth placemats, though buyers must know how to distinguish whether or not they are purchasing the real deal or modern copies.

When inspecting a piece of bark cloth to determine its status, it is helpful to understand how the original pieces were constructed. Islanders used fibers harvested from the Tapa trees. They collected very wet strands and pounded them into a kind of thick and textured paper. Ancient papyrus comes to mind when thinking about the tedious process, as both were formed from plant materials. Once completely prepared and totally dry, artisans would proceed to decorate the flat sheets with various themes inspired by the beautiful things of Hawaii. Making an informed decision about which is truly authentic or not lies in closely looking at the fabric.

When bark was first used to make cloth, it was made by harvesting bark from the Tapa tree. This bark was beaten until the fibers could be made into sheets of material which were then used to make a kind of textile. The historical process produced textured items with a nubby feel similar to linen. Eventually, cotton weaves took the place of the historic material, and it comprises the majority of items today.

The wide disparity in price between the original and modern versions of bark cloth is distinct. But once you know how to spot either the evenly woven modern materials compared to the nubby and uneven vintage ones, it will be easier to decide what is best to buy. There are many high quality items for sale with lovely artwork. It is possible to decorate with island flair regardless of your budget. Place mats in traditional designs make this very affordable.

Knowing the four traditional design categories that bark cloth features is also interesting to collectors. There was a different focus for each of the decades from about 1920 to 1960. In the early years, island artists were influenced by the botanical paintings found in America and Europe. But very soon, tropical plants and flowers took over. Tropical patterns were the earliest made. As soldiers in the late 1940's began to come home, they brought souvenirs with scenes of Hawaii with them, and contributed to the ongoing popularity of the island chain.

The harder to find themes will cost more money. The original material, when sold, is often done so on an auction basis. This is one way to have some certainty that it is authentic vintage.

When bark cloth place mats are used, they update decor with a hint of nostalgia and longing for the islands. Seeking authentic versions can be fun, but enjoying reproductions allows for exploring all the available styles.




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