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Tapa cloth with the Tonga coat of arms

Artist TONGA

Date1953

MediumBark (mulberry tree), pigment

ClassificationsFurnishings

Credit LineTransfer from the Sullivan Museum, Norwich University

Object number2019.4

DescriptionFrom Sullivan Museum label: This piece of Tapa cloth (Ngatu) symbolizes when the Queen of Tonga Salote
Tupou III visited Great Britain for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
The Tonga coat of arms is depicted in the center. At the bottom it reads “Koeotua
Motoga Kohoku Tofia” which translates to “God and Tonga are my inheritance.”
The coat of arms includes 3 stars and 3 swords which refers to the three islands
of Tonga; Vava’u in the north, Ha’apai in the center, and Tongatapu in the south.
It also refers to the three line of Kings of Tonga; Tu’i Tonga, Tu’I Ha’atakalaua, Tu’i
Kanokupolu. The leaves at the top of this coat of arms represent God; under that
is the Tongan flag. The square to the left depicts a dove which usually refers to
Queen Salote and below the dove is a representation of a necklace. The square
next to the Dove depicts a row of pine trees, Hala Paini, which runs along the
coast of Tonga before you get to the palace. The row of pines refers to the line
of Kings with the sun peeking through the pine trees. This Tapa cloth is actually
quite small measuring 6’ x 6’. Large tapa would have been double the size and
length. Tapa were made so large because they would have been rolled out on the
floor used for the coronation of a king or a dance performance.

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