Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Tee's Eternal Rest: The Embalmed Chief of Otaheite or Tahiti, circa 1800

$229.90
$287.3820% Off
£169.95
£212.4320% Off
€192
€24020% Off
CA$312.68
CA$390.8520% Off
A$350.36
A$437.9520% Off
CHF 182.37
CHF 227.9720% Off
MX$4,286.07
MX$5,357.5920% Off
NOK 2,314.90
NOK 2,893.6220% Off
SEK 2,186.39
SEK 2,732.9920% Off
DKK 1,461.99
DKK 1,827.4820% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

Title: "Tee's Eternal Rest: The Embalmed Chief of Otaheite" Description: This engraving, after a drawing by John Webber, depicts the preserved body of Tee, a chief from Otaheite (Tahiti), following his death. The artwork originates from an account of Captain James Cook's third voyage and showcases the practice of preserving the dead in Tahitian culture. The scene takes place in Matavai Bay, a significant location during the era of exploration, already famed through earlier visits and the engravings of Sydney Parkinson and William Hodges. In the foreground, we see the tupapau, an elevated platform, which holds the body of Chief Tee. His body has been embalmed, a process that has successfully maintained its condition for over four months despite the humid climate of Tahiti. The engraving reflects the respect and honor accorded to the deceased chief, with his body carefully shrouded, echoing the practices of European art and recalling classical themes such as depicted in Nicolas Poussin's "The Death of Germanicus." The image captures a tranquil and solemn moment within a lush tropical landscape, characterized by the thatched structures of the Tahitian people and the rich vegetation of palm trees. An attendant figure is seen by the side of the platform, reinforcing the sense of ongoing care and respect for the departed. John Webber's work, while documenting the cultural practices of the Pacific peoples encountered by Cook, is also steeped in the artistic conventions of his European heritage.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1817
  • Condition:
    Good. Overal light foxing and some soiling and offset. Image itself undisturbed and sharply detailed. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue, mostly around the edges. Please study the images carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13597-571stDibs: LU3054337936072

More From This Seller

View All
Mourning the Chief: Engraving of The Morai at Otaheite, now called Tahiti, 1817
Located in Langweer, NL
An original historical engraving from G. Alexander Cooke's "Geography," published in 1817. The engraving is titled "View of a Tuppapon or Shed under which the Bodies of the Chiefs of...
Category

Antique 1810s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Engraving of the Dead Chief of Tahiti Island in the Pacific, 1803
By James Cook
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Het Lijk van Thee, Opperste van O-Tahiti, zoodanig als men zulks na zijnen dood bewaarde'. Antique print depicting the remnents of Thee, Chief of Tahiti. Origin...
Category

Antique 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Ceremonial Rites: A Human Sacrifice in Otaheite (Tahiti), 1801
Located in Langweer, NL
The title for the provided engraving could be "Ceremonial Rites: A Human Sacrifice in Otaheite," capturing the gravity of the depicted event. This print likely illustrates a solemn a...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Human Sacrifice in a Morai, Tahiti – Cook Voyage Engraving c.1795
Located in Langweer, NL
Menschelijke Offerhande in eene Morai of Otahiti verrigt – Human Sacrifice in Tahiti c.1795 This antique print depicts a dramatic and solemn scene of a human sacrifice performed in ...
Category

Antique Early 1800s European Prints

Materials

Paper

The Ceremonial Offering to Captain Cook in Hawaii, Engraved in 1778
Located in Langweer, NL
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.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Old Print of a Building Protecting the Warriors of Chief Palu, Tonga Tabu, 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Anischt eines Schoppens der die Kriegspiroguen des Häuptlings Palu beschirmt'. Old print of a building protecting the warriors of Chief Palu, Tonga Tabu. This print originates from 'Entdeckungs, Reise der Franzosischen Corvette Astrolabe Unternomen auf Befehl Konig Karls...
Category

Antique 1830s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

The Body of Tee, a Chief, as preferred after Death, in Otaheite (Tahiti)
By John Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
The 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

Materials

Engraving

A Human Sacrifice, in a Morai, in Otaheite (Tahiti) 1784 James Cook Final Voyage
By John Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
 A 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

Materials

Engraving

Original Antique Ethnographical Print, Figures, New South Wales, Australia, 1809
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful ethnographical print. A copper-plate engraving after Lesieur Published by Sherwood, Neely & Jones. Dated 1809 Unframed.  
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Folk Art Prints

Materials

Paper

"A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti), Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage
By John Webber
Located in Alamo, CA
"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. The print is in excellent condition. 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...
Category

1780s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Indigenous Costumes - Original Lithograph - 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Indigenous Costumes is an original lithograph realized by an anonymous engraver of the 19th Century. Printed as part of the series "France Pittoresque", as indicated at the top cent...
Category

19th Century Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Caribbean Indigenous People / Orinoco, America, mid 19th century lithograph.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
'Famiglia di Karaibi' / 'Tartarnughe deponenti le uova alle sponde dell' Orenoko'' Italian lithograph, c1841. Originally from 'Galleria universale di tutti i popoli del mondo' by Gi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Naturalistic Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph