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C1784
A Man of the Sandwich Islands, in a Mask.
Artist:
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 … Read Full Description
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S/N: CK03E-3140058-PI-HAW–224001
(C015)
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Details
Full Title:
A Man of the Sandwich Islands, in a Mask.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
210mm
x 288mm
AUTHENTICITY
Genuine antique
dated:
1784
Description:
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….
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.
