Items Similar to "King of the Friendly Islands" (Tonga); Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
John Webber"King of the Friendly Islands" (Tonga); Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage1784
1784
$2,375
About
"Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It was published 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.
Captain Cook visited Tonga on his 3rd voyage, which he named The Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome he and his crew received, unlike some of the other more hostile Pacific islands. The engraving depicts Cook and his men observed a kava ceremony at the village of Mu’a on Tongatapu. King Paulaho sits in the centre foreground, his back to the spectator with a man kneeling before him. The ceremonial mat depicted behind Paulaho indicates that nobody was allowed to sit behind him. The figure in the centre holds a single cup, referring to the Tongan custom of offering the cup to the king first. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and was first described for English readers in 1768 by Captain James Cook. The kava root has been used for centuries as a central feature of ceremonies and celebrations because it was able to bring about a calming and pleasant social atmosphere. The root was crushed and processed into coconut milk to become the focal ceremonial beverage, simply referred to as kava.
This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This amazing Koa wood is native to Hawaii and 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.
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 mats (LU117324682422, LU117324684052, LU117324684032). 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.
Captain Cook is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and navigators in history. His explorations included Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific and the northwest coast of North America. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook 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.
Details
- CreatorJohn Webber (1751 - 1793, British)
- Creation Year1784
- DimensionsHeight: 18.25 in. (46.36 cm)Width: 23.5 in. (59.69 cm)Depth: .88 in. (2.24 cm)
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period1780-1789
- Condition
- Gallery LocationAlamo, CA
- Reference Number
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping$175 Standard Parcel Shippingto anywhere in the world, arrives in 4-6 weeks. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.Delivered by a parcel delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL.Ships From: Alamo, CA
- Return Policy
A return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn more
About the SellerLocated in Alamo, CA
5 / 5
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2011
1stDibs seller since 2019
110 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This Seller
- By John WebberLocated in Alamo, CA"The Inside of a House in Nootka Sound" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by ...Category
1780s Realist Interior Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- By William HogarthLocated in Alamo, CAA framed original satirical etching/engraving by William Hogarth, entitled "Some Principal Inhabitants of ye Moo...Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Interior Prints
MaterialsEngraving, Etching
- Located in Alamo, CAThis engraving is entitled "Philadelphia, PA- The Centennial Exposition - the Jury of Award on an Inspection Tou...Category
Late 19th Century Naturalistic Interior Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- By John WebberLocated in Alamo, CA"A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti) is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webb...Category
1780s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- By Giovanni Battista PiranesiLocated in Alamo, CAA. Tigna Protensa Super Media Epistylia, B. Praecisiones Tigorum Quaqua Versus Extrinsectus Apparentium, C. Opae...Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Figurative Prints
MaterialsEtching
- By Joseph NashLocated in Alamo, CAA pair of framed 19th century tinted lithographs with hand-coloring entitled "Gallery Over the Hall, Knowle, Ken...Category
Late 19th Century Romantic Interior Prints
MaterialsLithograph
You May Also Like
G. Paterson "Dinner Party at a Mandarin's House" Engraving After T. Allom c.1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
G. Paterson "Dinner Party at a Mandarin's House" Original Engraving After T. Allom C.1840
Original engraving
Dimensions 8" wide x 5" high
The frame measures 20.5" wide x 18.5" hig...
Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Interior Prints
Materials
Engraving
The Philosophe en Contemplation
By (After) Rembrandt van Rijn
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Le Philosophe en Contemplation" 1754 is an engraving after Rembrandt Harmensz Van Rijn 1606-1669. The plate was engraved by Pierre Louis De Surugue, 1710-1772. T...
Category
Mid-18th Century Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Engraving
"The Spinner," Etching signed by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
By Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Spinner" is an original etching by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. It depicts a woman in an interior next to a spinning wheel. The artist signed the piece lower right.
12" x 7 1/4" i...
Category
1880s Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
Vintage 1980 Judaica Chassidic Poster Simchas Torah Hakafos Chabad Artist
By Zalman Kleinman
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
Vintage framed plate signed poster.
Zalman Kleiman, Born in Leningrad, Russia in 1933 into a Lubavitcher Hasidic family, was a self taught Chassidic artist living in Crown Heights, ...
Category
1970s Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Offset
"Folding Linen III" - Limited Edition Lithograph, 20/75
Located in Soquel, CA
Beautiful figurative limited edition lithograph by Robert Baxter (American, b. 1933). Signed and numbered "R. Baxter 20/75" lower left. Displayed with white mat and black metal frame...
Category
1980s Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Paper, Lithograph
$2,520 Sale Price
20% Off
The Wine Tasters - Late 19th Century Lithograph
Located in Soquel, CA
The wine tasters, gathering to enjoy their hobby by Johann Peter Hasenclever (Germany, 1810-1853). Paper laid down on canvas. Signed and dated in the print "J. P. Hasenclever 1843," ...
Category
Late 19th Century Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Canvas, Ink, Laid Paper
$1,125 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage turquoise '69 David Hockney Exhibition Poster Kilim southwest rug
By (after) David Hockney
Located in New York, NY
Shading in bright turquoise above a Southwestern style thunderbird Kilim rug adorns this original exhibition poster for David Hockney's 1969 show at Andre Emmerich, New York. This po...
Category
1960s Realist Interior Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Scene Galante au XVIII eme Siecle #1
By Antoine Calbet
Located in San Francisco, CA
This artwork titled "Scene Galante au XVIII eme Siecle" c.1930 in an aquatint on paper by French artist Antoine Calbet, 1860-1944. It is hand signed in pencil at the lower right corn...
Category
Mid-20th Century Realist Figurative Prints
Materials
Aquatint
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery