Within Australia
All orders ship freewithin Australia
Rest of the World
Orders over A$300
ship free worldwide
C1784
A Canoe of the Sandwich Islands, the Rowers Masked…
Artist:
Rare c.18th engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. This famous image of ten Hawaiian rowers transporting a priest who is carrying a feather-covered image of Kukailimoku, the Hawaiian god … Read Full Description
$A 1,250
S/N: CK03E-3139061-PI-HAWI–216052
(C015)
Free Shipping
See Shipping page for Terms & Conditions
Details
Full Title:
A Canoe of the Sandwich Islands, the Rowers Masked…
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
Vertical crease on left hand side, otherwise in good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
410mm
x 260mm
Paper Size:
557mm
x 393mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
Rare c.18th engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage.
This famous image of ten Hawaiian rowers transporting a priest who is carrying a feather-covered image of Kukailimoku, the Hawaiian god of war is from Cook’s third and final voyage. The priests and paddlers are all wearing gourd masks in their double-hulled canoe with an upright lateen woven sail. Double-hulled or single-hulled outrigger canoes were the primary form of transportation in Polynesian Hawaii. The smaller canoes, like the one depicted here, were shaped from a single, great koa log harvested from upcountry rainforests where they were carved before being hauled to the coast. Each canoe typically held five or six paddlers.
From Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Performed under the Direction of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, in His Majesty’s Ships the Resolution and Discovery; in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780.
References:
Beddie, M. Bibliography of Captain James Cook, RN,FRS, Circumnavigator. Sydney 1970: 1743-65, p.342
Joppien, R. & Smith, B. The Art of Captain Cook’s Voyages; Vol. I, II & III. Melbourne 1985-1987: 3.309A, ill.p.539
Forbes, D. Hawaiian National Bibliography 1780- 1830. Honolulu /Sydney, 1999/2003 : : 62; cf.
Carter, J. & Muir, P. Printing and the Mind of Man London 1983 : 223.
Sabin, J. A Dictionary of Books Relating to America, from its Discovery to the Present Time. New York. (1936) 1967 : : 16250.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 : 321.
Collections:
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS RB/F990A/9
State Library Victoria: RARELT 910.41 C773VS
State Library South Australia: Special Collection: 919 C771
John Webber (1752 - 1793)
John Webber was an 18th century artist, best known for his work as the official artist on Captain James Cook's third and final voyage to the Pacific in 1776-1780. He was born in London, England in 1751 and was trained as an artist. Webber accompanied Cook on his voyage as the official artist, tasked with creating drawings and paintings of the places and people they encountered. He produced many illustrations and sketches that were used to make engravings for inclusion in the official account of the voyage, published after Cook's death. Webber was required to "give a more perfect idea thereof than can be formed by written description." Webber's illustrations and engravings of the Pacific islands and their inhabitants are considered some of the most accurate and detailed depictions of the region from that time. They provide an important record of the places and people encountered by Cook and his crew, and are valuable for understanding the culture and daily life of the people of the Pacific during the 18th century. He died in London in 1793, after having returned from the voyage, but his work continues to be recognised as an important historical record of the voyage and of the art of his time. Webber's oeuvre from the voyage was the most comprehensive record of sights in the Pacific region ever produced.
