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

Vigilance in the Tropics: The Spear-Thrower of New Caledonia, 1801

$421.75
$527.1820% Off
£313.90
£392.3820% Off
€352
€44020% Off
CA$577.69
CA$722.1120% Off
A$642.51
A$803.1420% Off
CHF 335.50
CHF 419.3820% Off
MX$7,818.72
MX$9,773.4020% Off
NOK 4,284.86
NOK 5,356.0820% Off
SEK 4,018.44
SEK 5,023.0520% Off
DKK 2,679.65
DKK 3,349.5720% Off
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This engraving from George Alexander Cooke's "A Modern and Authentic System of Universal Geography" depicts a New Caledonian warrior in the poised position of throwing a spear. His muscular form and focused expression convey readiness and skill, characteristic of a people adept in the art of hunting and defense. The backdrop of tropical flora situates him within his native landscape, emphasizing the connection between the indigenous people and their environment in the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia. The detailed artwork serves as a visual account from the age of exploration, immortalizing the cultural practices observed by European voyagers like Captain Cook. In the image, the man is holding a mace or club-like weapon in his right hand, characterized by its star-shaped head, which suggests it was used both for ceremonial purposes and as a weapon in combat. The intricate design and the weapon's prominence in the engraving emphasize its significance in the cultural practices of New Caledonia. Description: This is a circa 1801 copperplate engraving from George Alexander Cooke's "Universal Geography" . The print is part of George Alexander Cooke's comprehensive work "A Modern and Authentic System of Universal Geography." This book was a significant compilation of geographical knowledge during the late 18th century, offering descriptions and accounts of various parts of the world, influenced by the age of exploration. It includes narratives of famed explorers like Captain James Cook and Ferdinand Magellan, detailing their discoveries and journeys that expanded the European understanding of the globe. Cooke's work served as both a chronicle and reference for the territories and cultures encountered by these voyagers.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.44 in (26.5 cm)Width: 7.88 in (20 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1801
  • Condition:
    Good. Aged paper with typically warm, yellowish-brown hue. Some of the text is frayed. This is not a reproduction but an original engraving. Study the image carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13597-251stDibs: LU3054337825982

More From This Seller

View All
Engraving 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

Warrior of Owhyhee (Hawaii) - Anthropophage in War Costume, 1785 Engraving
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Warrior of Owhyhee: Anthropophage in War Costume, 1785 Engraving" Description: This evocative print, titled "Anthropophage d'Owhay, costume de guerre," portrays a Hawaiian w...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of a Vatulele Island Native ‘Fiji’ by H. Berghaus, 1855
Located in Langweer, NL
This print originates from the first volume of ‘De Volken van den Aardbodem (..)’ by dr. H. Berghaus. Published by G.B. van Goor, Gouda, 1855. Dutch edition.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Costume Print of a Warrior of Vanikoro Island by Wahlen, 1843
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique costume print titled 'Naturel de Vanikoro'. Original antique print of a warrior of Vanikoro Island. This print originates from 'Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peuples...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Costume Print of a Papua from Dorey Harbour by Wahlen, 1843
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique costume print titled 'Papou du Havre Dorey'. Original antique print of a Papua from Dorey Habour. This print originates from 'Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peuples d...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of a native of the Ombai Strait, 'circa 1840'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Naturel de l'ile d'Ombai'. Lithograph of a native of the Ombai Strait, Indonesia. Source unknown, to be determined. Published, circa 1840.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Guerrier de Tonga Tabou - Lithograph by Auguste Wahlen - 1844
Located in Roma, IT
Guerrier de Tonga Tabou is a hand colored lithograph realized by Auguste Wahlen in 1844. Good condition. The artwork belongs to the Suite Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les peu...
Category

1840s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Noukahiwa - Lithograph by Auguste Wahlen - 1844
Located in Roma, IT
Noukahiwa is a hand colored lithographs realized by Auguste Wahlen in 1844. Good conditions. The artwork belongsto the Suite Moeurs, usages et costume...
Category

1840s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

A Man of the Sandwich Islands, Dancing (Hawaii) from Captain Cooks travels engra
By John Webber
Located in Paonia, CO
A Man of the Sandwich Islands Dancing (Hawaii) 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) was the official artist for the third voyage of Captain James Cook (1728-1779). The purpose of this voyage was to discover the Northwest Passage and to explore the Pacific Ocean north of the Equator. These engravings were published in 1784-85 by G. Nichol and Thomas Cadell of London in the four large format atlas, Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Captain Cook was an extraordinary explorer known for discovering and mapping unknown territory and for his many contributions to the scientific world. These original engravings from Webber’s drawings and paintings are only a glimpse into this great man’s historical contributions that make him one of the greatest explorers of all times. This image shows a Hawaiian dancer...
Category

1780s Realist Figurative Prints

Materials

Engraving

Chef d'une Tribu de la Nouvelle Zelande - Lithograph by Auguste Wahlen - 1844
Located in Roma, IT
Chef d'une Tribu de la Nouvelle Zelande is a hand colored lithograph realized by Auguste Wahlen in 1844. good conditions. the artwork belongsto the Suite Moeurs, usages et costumes...
Category

1840s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Guerrier de L'ile Sawoe - Lithograph by Auguste Wahlen - 1844
Located in Roma, IT
Guerrier de L'ile Sawoe is a hand colored lithographs realized by Auguste Wahlen in 1844. Good condition. The artwork belongs to the Suite Moeurs, usages et costumes de tous les pe...
Category

1840s Modern 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