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C1784
Various Articles, at Nootka Sound.
Artist:
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s third and final voyage. All of the artifacts illustrated except for no.2 (Alaskan) are of decoys or head masks, used by the natives of Nootka. 1. … Read Full Description
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S/N: CK03E-2306037-CAN–219556
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Details
Full Title:
Various Articles, at Nootka Sound.
Date:
C1784
Artist:
Condition:
In good condition.
Technique:
Copper engraving.
Image Size:
280mm
x 205mm
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 of the artifacts illustrated except for no.2 (Alaskan) are of decoys or head masks, used by the natives of Nootka.
1. A bird, made of wood hollow, with stones in the inside, which the natives shake when they dance. (Rattle)
2. A seal’s head, made of wood, worn upon the head. (Alaskan seal decoy)
3. A bird’s head, made of wood and feathers, also worn upon the head. (Bird mask)
4. Another worn upon the head, and ornamented with green talc. (Bird mask)
‘The men on some occasions wore Masks of which they have many and of various sorts such as the human face, the head of birds and other Animals, the most of them both well designed and executed…The rattles are for the most part made in the shape of a bird, with a few pebble stones in the belly and the tail is the handle..’ Cook’s Journals III, i,314-315
Beddie 1743-40, p.341, Joppien 3.231A, ill.p.469
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.
