[A military gorget worn in the South Sea Islands.]

Rare c.18th engraving of a breast covering from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s first voyage.

‘A most singular item of battle dress, and one having great exchange value, was the taumi, or demi-gorget, a wickerwork breast covering decorated with shell, shark’s teeth, and feathers.’ Oliver

From: Hawkesworth, An Account of the Voyages Undertaken By the Order of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere.

References:
Joppien, Art of Cooks Voyages: 1.94A ill. pp.155
Hakluyt Society, The Charts and Coastal Views of Captain Cook’s Voyages. Volume 1. The Voyages of the Endeavour 1768- 1771. No. 42. London 1988 : 1.118A ll. p.112.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 : 782.
Beddie, M. Bibliography of Captain James Cook, RN,FRS, Circumnavigator. Sydney 1970: 648.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 861232
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 910.41 H31V
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS Q77/16
State Library South Australia: 990T