Antique Print of Men from the Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Antique print titled 'Naturels de l'ile d'Oualan'. Original old print of habitants of the island of Oualan in the Caroline Islands. This print originates from René Primevère Lesson's...

Antique print titled 'Naturels de la Nouvelle-Guinée'. Original old print with natives of New Guinea. This print originates from 'Voyage autour du monde exécuté par ordre du roi, sur...

Original antique print of inhabitants of the Mariana Islands. This print originates from 'Costume Antico e Moderno: Palestine, China, India, Oceania' b...

Antique print titled 'Naturels de la Nouvelle-Irlande'. Original old print with natives of New Ireland. This print originates from 'Voyage autour du monde exécuté par ordre du roi, s...

'Convento di agagna nell' Isola Guam. Occupazioni domestiche in Guam.' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Giuseppe Anton...

Wonderful ethnographical print. A copper-plate engraving after Lesieur Published by Sherwood, Neely & Jones. Dated 1809 Unframed.  

'Mausoleo del Vakosci' / 'Tschigaschi' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Giuseppe Antonelli, published in Venice, Italy...

"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...