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C1784
The Inside of the House, in the Morai, in Atooi.
Artist:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. All other later copies made of this image by other publishers were unauthorised, usually smaller and inferior in quality. Captain Cook arrived … Read Full Description
$A 450
S/N: CK03E-2202-PI-HAW–216079
(C015)
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Details
Full Title:
The Inside of the House, in the Morai, in Atooi.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
244mm
x 178mm
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. All other later copies made of this image by other publishers were unauthorised, usually smaller and inferior in quality.
Captain Cook arrived at Atooi (Kauai) on 19th January 1778 and stayed until 23rd January.
Showing the interior of the long house or mana in the heiau at Waimea, Kauai with carved representations of the gods. Cook reported on 21 January 1778: ‘The entrance was at the middle of the side which was in the Morai, fronting it on the other side was a kind of Altar, composed of a piece of carved wood set ere(c)t and on each side the figure of a Woman carved in wood, neither very ill designed nor executed on the head of one was carved a cap like helmet worn by the ancient warriors and on the other a round cap. like the head dress at Otaheite called Tomou. These two images, which were about three feet high, they called Eatua no Veheina, Godess’s, but that they worship them may be doubted, as they had no objections to our going to and examining them be this as it may, they here make some kind of offerings, as several strips of the cloth before the other piece of carving, lay a heap of a plant called […] and by them […]. It was obvious it had been laid there piece by piece and at different times, as there was of it in all states, from quite decayed to fresh and green. Before this place, and in the middle of the house, was an oblong space, inclosed by a low edging of stone and covered over with the thin cloth this they told us was the grave of seven chiefs. Cook, Journals III, I 270-1
Beddie 1743-34, p.341, Joppien 3.176A, ill.p.421
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.
