Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

John Webber
"Canoe of the Sandwich Islands" (Hawaii), Engraving of Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage

1784

About the Item

"A Canoe of the Sandwich Islands, the Rowers Masked" is an engraving created by Charles Grignion, from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It is Plate 65 in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. This famous image of ten Hawaiian rowers transporting a priest who is carrying a feather-covered image of Kukailimoku, the Hawaiian god of war. The priests and paddlers are all wearing gourd masks in their double-hulled canoe with an upright lateen woven sail. Each hull was shaped from a single large Koa log harvested from island rainforests, where they were carved before being transported to the coast. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. Koa is the same wood as was used to make the canoe. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii, but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. The frame measures 20.75" high, 26.75" wide and 0.88" deep. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mat (LU117324682022, LU117324684052, LU117324684062). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook (1728-1779) during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich who, as head of the British Admiralty, authorized the funds necessary to finance the voyage. Captain Cook was killed by natives in Kealakekua Bay on the big island of Hawaii in 1779. His ships the Resolution and Discovery then returned to England. Other notables who were part of this expedition included Captain William Bligh, Cook's sailing master, who would later go down in history as captain of the mutinous crew of the Bounty and George Vancouver who would later explore and chart North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, as well as the province of British Columbia in Canada. Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver, British Columbia are named for him, as is Vancouver, Washington.
  • Creator:
    John Webber (1751 - 1793, British)
  • Creation Year:
    1784
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)Width: 26.75 in (67.95 cm)Depth: 0.88 in (2.24 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
    1780-1789
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Alamo, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: # 38531stDibs: LU117324682432
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • Salvador Dalí, Manto, La Divine Comédie (M/L.1039-1138; F.189-200)
    By Salvador Dalí­
    Located in Fairfield, CT
    Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Year: 1963 Medium: Wood engraving in colors on Rives BFK paper Inscription: Unsigned and unnumbered, as issued Edition: 4765 in French; 3188 in Ital...
    Category

    1960s Surrealist Figurative Prints

    Materials

    Engraving

  • "In the Forest" Aquatint - Mid Century Engraving Landscape
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Charming vintage Aquatint/etching titled "In the Forest" from the Paris Etching Society by French artist Pierre Maulin (France, late 19th-early 20th Cent...
    Category

    1930s Impressionist Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Engraving, Aquatint, Paper, Ink

  • Drongo / Duc; Pl. 140
    Located in Mount Vernon, NY
    Hand-colored engraving by P. Fitzer for Dictionnaire pittoresque d’histoire naturelle et des phénomènes de la nature, edited by French entomologist Felix Edouard Guerin-Meneville (17...
    Category

    19th Century Animal Prints

    Materials

    Engraving

  • The Sheldonian and Clarendon, Broad Street, Oxford engraving by Basire
    Located in London, GB
    To see our other views of Oxford and Cambridge, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from this Seller" - or send us a message if you cannot find the view you want. James Basire II (1769 - 1822) after Edward Dayes...
    Category

    Early 1800s Realist Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Engraving

  • Demolition No. 1
    By Armin Landeck
    Located in Storrs, CT
    Demolition No. 1. 1940. Drypoint. Kraeft 80. 4 7/8 x 8 7/8(sheet 12 x 13 7/8). Edition 100. Provenance: estate of David Llewellyn Reese, New York. A rich impression with tonal wiping...
    Category

    1930s American Modern Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Drypoint, Etching

  • Approaching Storm
    By Armin Landeck
    Located in Storrs, CT
    Approaching Storm, Manhattan. 1937. Drypoint. Kraeft 65. 9 1/8 x 8 3/8 (sheet 15 3/4 x 14 7/8). Edition 100. Provenance: Estate of David Llewellyn Re...
    Category

    1930s American Modern Landscape Prints

    Materials

    Drypoint

Recently Viewed

View All