Royal Celebration in Tongatapu: The Natche Ceremony Engraved in circa 1785

The engraving depicts a harrowing and chaotic scene from an 18th-century exploration, specifically the tragic event involving Commander Fleuriot de Langle and his men. The scene is s...

The engraving is captioned as "Mode of Fighting in the Navigator's Islands" and depicts a scene of conflict among the indigenous people of the Navigator's Islands, now known as the ...

This is an antique print titled "Onori divini fatti a Cook," which translates to "Divine honors given to Cook." It likely depicts a moment when Captain James Cook, the famed British ...

Title: "The Ceremonial Offering to Captain Cook in Hawaii, 1778" This detailed antique engraving, titled "An Offering Before Captain Cook in the Sandwich Islands," captures a significant historical encounter from Captain James Cook's voyages. The artwork, based on a drawing by John Webber, who accompanied Cook, was skillfully translated into print by the combined talents of Samuel Middiman for the landscape and John Hall for the figures. Created around 1778, this scene illustrates a moment where indigenous Hawaiian men present offerings of suckling pigs to Captain Cook and his European companions. A towering figure wearing an imposing mask stands sentinel behind the Europeans, symbolizing the cultural richness and ceremonial traditions of the Hawaiian people. The scene is framed by native palms and lush tropical vegetation, with a typical steep-roofed thatched building enclosed by a fence in the background, hinting at the architectural styles of the era. This print, marked by 'Walker sculp', offers a poignant visual narrative of cultural exchange in the age of exploration.

"The Reception of Capt. Cook in Hapaee" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by John Webber (1751-1793), who was the artist who accompanied Captain Cook on his third ...

"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...

Image dimensions: 25.5 x 18 cm. Ceremonies of a Floridian King is a fine etching, hand-watercolored, realized by the engraver Gianfrancesco Pivati. This original print, representi...

'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...