A Man of the Sandwich Islands, in a Mask.

Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage.

Man of one of the Hawaiian Islands in a gourd helmet, surmounted with fern fronds. The accounts do not reveal which island the native wearing the mask was from, as they had only been on two occasions when rowers in canoes had come along side of the ship.

‘is a kind of mask, made of a large gourd with holes cut in it for eyes and nose. The top was stuck full of small green twigs that, at a distance, had the appearance of an elegant waving plume, and from the lower part hung narrow strips of cloth resembling a beard. We never saw these masks worn but twice, and both times by a number of people in a canoe, who came to the side of the ships, laughing and drolling with an air of masquerading.’ Cook’/King III, March 1779 p.139-140

Beddie 1743-66, p.342, Joppien 3.311A, ill.p.541

From Cook & King,A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere….