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C1787
A Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing.
Artist:
A solo Hawaiian dancer pictured in this image is seen holding an uli’uli, a feather-covered gourd rattle. On his calves are leggings made of loose-hanging dog’s teeth. Called kupe’e niho ‘ilio, they weighed up to ten pounds and included as … Read Full Description
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Details
Full Title:
A Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing.
Date:
C1787
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
190mm
x 285mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1787
Description:
A solo Hawaiian dancer pictured in this image is seen holding an
uli’uli, a feather-covered gourd rattle. On his calves are leggings made
of loose-hanging dog’s teeth. Called kupe’e niho ‘ilio, they weighed up
to ten pounds and included as many as 1,356 teeth, adding rhythmic
accompaniment to the dancer’s leg movements. The tattoos on the dancer’s
arms and legs are an example of the elaborate decoration in Hawaii.
From Bankes, A new and authentic system of universal geography, ancients and modern including all the late and important discoveries.
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.
