Items Similar to Savage of the Admiralty Isles – Hand-Colored Ethnographic Engraving, c.1785
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
Savage of the Admiralty Isles – Hand-Colored Ethnographic Engraving, c.1785
$214.16
£160.30
€180
CA$294.16
A$328.90
CHF 172.52
MX$3,983.80
NOK 2,177.76
SEK 2,057.46
DKK 1,370.39
About the Item
Savage of the Admiralty Isles – Hand-Colored Ethnographic Engraving, c.1785
This striking hand-colored engraving, titled "A Savage of the Admiralty Isles in the South Sea," presents a full-length portrait of a man from the Admiralty Islands (now Manus Province, Papua New Guinea). He is depicted standing on a tropical shoreline, holding a paddle and a fruit, adorned with ornamental body paint, earrings, and a headdress. The dramatic setting includes lush vegetation, distant mountains, and a calm sea with a canoe in the background — typical of the exotic and romanticized portrayals common in late 18th-century European travel books.
The engraving likely originates from George William Anderson’s monumental work “A New, Authentic and Complete Collection of Voyages Round the World” (published between 1784 and 1786), which compiled engravings based on drawings from Captain Cook’s and other explorers’ expeditions. These prints were designed to bring the distant and unfamiliar to European readers, often framed through the lens of Enlightenment curiosity and colonial exoticism.
The subject is labeled using the now-obsolete and pejorative term “savage,” reflecting the period’s ethnographic attitudes. Such works today are valuable not only for their artistic merit but also for their role in understanding the historical narratives constructed by European colonial powers. This image is an important visual document of how indigenous peoples of the South Pacific were perceived and represented in European print culture.
The print is delicately engraved and finely hand-colored, highlighting the skin tones, green palm fronds, and soft blues of the sea and sky. The cross-hatched background provides a sense of depth and atmosphere. It is a fine example of 18th-century ethnographic illustration, merging documentation with romanticized scenery.
Condition: Very good condition for age. Light general toning and some spotting in the margins. Strong impression and rich original hand-coloring. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips: Best displayed with a warm ivory or natural white mat and a dark wood or antique gold frame to complement the print’s tone and historical character.
Technique: Copperplate engraving with original hand-coloring
Maker: Engraved by Thornton, after drawings by Webber or related sources, London, c.1785
- Dimensions:Height: 10.56 in (26.8 cm)Width: 8.27 in (21 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1785
- Condition:Condition: Good condition for age. Light general toning and some spotting in the margins. Strong impression and rich original hand-coloring. Plate mark visible.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13600-27A1stDibs: LU3054346173462
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,565 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllEngraving of A Savage of the Admiralty Isles in the Bismarck Archipelago, 1801
Located in Langweer, NL
The 1801 engraving depicts a figure labeled as "A Savage of the Admiralty Isles in the South Sea." The image portrays a solitary indigenous man standing with a paddle in hand, exudin...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Prints
Materials
Paper
$323 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Hand Colored Engraving of Opossums
Located in Langweer, NL
Original antique print of opossums. Originates from Bertuch's 'Bilderbuch für Kinder'. In 1790 Friedrich Justin Bertuch started his biggest book-project ever. Issued in 12 volumes it...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
$228 Sale Price
20% Off
Original Antique Engraving of the Admiralty Islands 'Bismarck Archipelago', 1774
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Trois Vues des Isles de l'Amirauté (..)'. Several coastal views of the Admiralty Islands. Originates from 'Geschichte der See-Reisen und Entdeckungen im Süd-Mee...
Category
Antique 18th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Hand-Colored Engraving of The Fox-Colored Thrush, 1749
Located in Langweer, NL
A beautiful hand-colored engraving from Johann Michael Seligmann's collection, which was based on the earlier works of George Edwards.
The text on this image is in German, Latin, a...
Category
Antique 1740s Prints
Materials
Paper
$656 Sale Price
20% Off
Free Shipping
Aquatic Ambush: Hand-Colored Engraving of The Tentacled Snake, 1845
Located in Langweer, NL
The image depicts a snake, specifically labeled as "Erpeton tentaculatus," which is commonly known as the tentacled snake. It is a species found in Southeast Asia and is remarkable f...
Category
Antique 1840s Prints
Materials
Paper
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Hand-Colored Engraving of the American Pelican by Seligman, c.1770
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: Der Amerikanische Pelican - Hand-Colored Engraving of the American Pelican by Johann Michael Seligmann, 18th Century
This beautiful hand-colored engraving, titled 'Der Amerik...
Category
Antique 1770s Prints
Materials
Paper
$656 Sale Price
20% Off
You May Also Like
Antique Hand Colored Engraving of the Port of Rotterdam
Located in Bradenton, FL
An antique hand colored engraving showing the port of Rotterdam. Inscribed in Latin and Italian “Prospectus portæ veteris roterodamensis / vista de la puerta vieja a roterdam” which translates to ‘View of the old gate...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Prints
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Pair Of Hand Colored Engravings Of Parrots
Located in Essex, MA
Two framed hand colored stipple engravings of parrots by Jacques Barraband published 1801-05. In beautifully matted and gilded frames. From Judy Cormier. One print with some foxing.
Category
Antique Early 1800s French Prints
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$3,850 / set
Pair Of Hand Colored Engravings Of Moths
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed with marbled double matting and gilded and painted frames.
Category
Antique 1780s English Prints
Materials
Wood, Paper
$950 / set
Three Antique Hand Colored Engravings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three 18th century hand colored engravings of parrot specimens as depicted by Peter Brown, an artist and naturalist, working in London England. Originally published in 1776 in a foli...
Category
Antique 18th Century English British Colonial Prints
Materials
Paper
$4,500 / set
Hand Colored Copperplate Engraving of Copenhagen, Denmark
Located in Kastrup, DK
Hand-colored copperplate engraving depicting an interesting old view of Copenhagen seen from Frederiksberg Castle Gardens, approximate. 1790-1800.
Framed in a mahogany frame from sam...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Prints
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Paper
Set Of Four Hand Colored Engravings Of Dogs
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed featuring four different dog types.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Prints
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,250 / set