Items Similar to "A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti), Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
John Webber"A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti), Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage1784
1784
About the Item
"A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti) 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 is a plate 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.
Two women and two men wearing ceremonial costumes, performing a dance outdoors standing on a mat. Three men are playing the drums in the background, in front of a thatched roof building. An audience of men are sitting on both sides of the stage. By the time Webber arrived in Tahiti, 'south sea' imagery had become familiar. Webber gave concentrated attention to dance. He had the opportunity to distinguish the Tahitian dance from the more formalized dancing of Tonga. Whereas they seem to have called to mind the more formal dances of antiquity, the Tahitian dancing aroused memories of peasant and folk dancing.
This engraving is professionally framed in Koa wood. 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.
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 double mats (LU117324682432, 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 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: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Width: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)Depth: 0.88 in (2.24 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:1780-1789
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Alamo, CA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
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
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Alamo, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Admirable Butterflies, Magpie Moths: A Hand-colored Engraving by Moses HarrisBy Moses HarrisLocated in Alamo, CAThis is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Admirable Butterfly and the Small Magpie Moth, which is plate 6 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aure...Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- Butterflies & Moths: An Antique Hand-colored Engraving by Moses HarrisBy Moses HarrisLocated in Alamo, CAThis is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Drinker Moth, the Brown Hairstreak Butterfly, the Larke Skipper Butterfly, the Small Skipper Butterfly, ...Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- "Marine Chantier de Construction": 18th C. Engraving of Shipbuilding by DiderotBy Denis DiderotLocated in Alamo, CA"Marine Chantier de Construction", plate VIII from the 18th century "Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers" (Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dict...Category
1750s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEtching, Engraving
- Three 19th C. Hand Colored Engravings of London Architecture by T. ShepherdBy Thomas Hosmer ShepherdLocated in Alamo, CAA set of three hand-colored engravings from "Metropolitan Improvements; or London in the Nineteenth Century", published in London, England in 1828. The scenes were drawn by Thomas Ho...Category
1820s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- Architectural Engraving of the House of Conseequa, Canton, China by Thomas AllomBy Thomas AllomLocated in Alamo, CA"House of Conseequa, A Chinese Merchant in the Suburbs of Canton, From a Drawing in the possession of Sir Geo. Staunton, Bart." a hand colored engraving by Samuel Bradshaw (1810-1888...Category
1840s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- Tortoise-shell Butterfly, Hawk Moth: Antique Hand-colored Engraving by M. HarrisBy Moses HarrisLocated in Alamo, CAThis is a hand-colored antique engraving depicting the natural history of the Privet Hawk Moth, Tortoise-shell Butterfly, which is plate 2 from Moses Harris' publication "The Aurelia...Category
Mid-19th Century Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
You May Also Like
- The Body of Tee, a Chief, as preferred after Death, in Otaheite (Tahiti)By John WebberLocated in Paonia, COThe Body of Tee a chief as preferred after Death in Otaheite (Tahiti) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Capt...Category
1870s Realist Figurative Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- A Human Sacrifice, in a Morai, in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 James Cook Final VoyageBy John WebberLocated in Paonia, COA Human Sacrifice in a Morai in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 by John Webber is from the First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain...Category
1780s Realist Figurative Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- A Dance in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 James Cook Final Voyage by John WebberBy John WebberLocated in Paonia, COA Dance in Otaheite ( Tahiti ) is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook. John Webber (1752-1793) who...Category
1780s Realist Figurative Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- Christ Church, Oxford 1675 hand-coloured engraving by David LogganBy David LogganLocated in London, GBTo 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 ...Category
1670s Realist Prints and Multiples
MaterialsEngraving
- Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 mapLocated in Paonia, COMap of Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per F de Wit 1688 engraving from: Atlas Contractus Orbis Terrarum Praecipuas ac Novissimas Complectens Tabulas. Amsterdam, N. Visscher, 1656-77. (Koeman III, Vis5-8) This highly decorative map of the Middle East is by the Dutch engraver, publisher, and map seller...Category
1660s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving
- The Inside of a Hippah in New Zealand from Captain Cooks TravelsBy John WebberLocated in Paonia, COThe Inside of a Hippah in New Zealand is from the 1784 First Edition Atlas Accompanying Capt. James Cook and King; Third and Final Voyage of Captain James Cook John...Category
1780s Realist Landscape Prints
MaterialsEngraving