Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

War Canoe of New Zealand – Antique Engraving of Māori Waka, circa 1802

$341.80
£257.44
€290
CA$471.36
A$529.55
CHF 276.69
MX$6,463.40
NOK 3,513.16
SEK 3,306.90
DKK 2,207.37

About the Item

War Canoe of New Zealand – Antique Engraving of Māori Waka, circa 1802 Description: This antique engraving depicts a traditional Māori war canoe (waka taua) from New Zealand, rendered with remarkable linear precision and attention to detail. These ceremonial canoes were not only instruments of warfare but also embodied deep cultural and spiritual significance among Māori tribes. The engraving shows the waka in profile, floating on calm waters. Its immense length and elegant curvature are emphasized, with finely carved decorative elements at both stern and prow. The stern post rises high above the water, elaborately adorned with plumed motifs and intricate woodwork, characteristic of traditional Māori craftsmanship. The prow features a stylized figurehead (*tekoteko*), symbolizing mana and ancestral power. The caption reads: "War Canoe of New Zealand." At lower right: “Greig Sculp.” (engraved by Grieg) Below the title: “Published by Darton & Harvey, Gracechurch Street London.” This engraving was likely published in or around 1802 as part of a series documenting indigenous watercraft and cultures encountered during 18th-century voyages such as those of Captain James Cook. It provides an early European visual interpretation of Māori maritime technology and artistic expression, at a time when such vessels were seen for the first time by Western audiences. Prints like these were often included in atlases, travel accounts, and ethnographic studies, and remain highly valuable for both their historical and cultural insights. Condition report: Good condition. Plate impression strong and clear. Paper lightly toned with faint vertical print press marks and some mild spotting in the margins. No tears or repairs. Professionally matted. Framing tips: A black or dark wood frame with a cream or tan mat will complement the engraving’s sepia tones and bring out the detailed carving on the canoe. Suitable for display in collections focused on Pacific exploration, indigenous cultures, or maritime history. Technique: Engraving Maker: Greig, after a voyage illustration, London, circa 1802
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)Width: 15.75 in (40 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1802
  • Condition:
    Good condition. Plate impression strong and clear. Paper lightly toned with faint vertical print press marks and some mild spotting in the margins. No tears or repairs. Professionally matted.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-023071stDibs: LU3054346099992

More From This Seller

View All
Original Copper Engraving of a Maori War Canoe, New Zealand, 1803
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print New Zealand titled 'Oorlogs-Praauw van Nieuw-Zeeland'. View of a Maori war canoe, New Zealand. Originates from 'Reizen Rondom...
Category

Antique Early 1800s Prints

Materials

Paper

Lithographic View of the Wangari Cape with a Maori Canoe (New Zealand) - 1836
Located in Langweer, NL
View of the Wangari Cape with a Maori Canoe (New Zealand) This detailed engraving illustrates a traditional Maori waka (canoe) gliding across the waters near Cape Wangari, New Zeala...
Category

Antique 1830s Prints

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of a Canoe of Chukotka, Tartary, 1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'A Canoe of Tchoka, or Segalian Island, opposite the East Coast of Tartary first explored by M. de la Perouse'. Engraving of a canoe of Chukotka, Russia. Source ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

18th Century Engraving of a Chamorro Proa from the Mariana Islands (1753)
Located in Langweer, NL
The print titled "Batiment Leger des Isles des Larrons" is an antique engraving depicting a proa, a type of outrigger canoe, from the Ladrones Island...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Rare 18th-Century German Engraving of a Proa Sailing Canoe, c. 1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Rare 18th-Century German Engraving of a Proa Sailing Canoe, c. 1780 This finely detailed 18th-century engraving offers a technical depiction of a traditional proa, a type of saili...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Bucentaure – Antique Engraving of the Venetian State Barge, c.1802
Located in Langweer, NL
The Bucentaure – Antique Engraving of the Venetian State Barge, c.1802 This finely detailed antique engraving depicts The Bucentaure, the grand ceremonial barge of the Doges of Veni...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

New Zealand War Canoe: Original 18th C. Engraving from Captain Cook's 1st Voyage
Located in Alamo, CA
"War Canoe of New Zealand, with a View of the Gable End Foreland" is an engraving created by Thomas Prattent, from a drawing by Sydney Parkinson, who was the artist on Captain James ...
Category

1780s Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Sandwich Islands Canoe (Hawaii): Framed 18th C. Engraving Captain Cook's Journal
By John Webber
Located in Alamo, CA
"A Canoe of the Sandwich Islands, the Rowers Masked" is an engraving created by Charles Grignion, 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 Plate 65 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 Admiralty sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. This famous image of ten Hawaiian rowers transporting a priest who is carrying a feather-covered image of Kukailimoku, the Hawaiian god of war. The priests and paddlers are all wearing gourd masks in their double-hulled canoe with an upright lateen woven sail. Each hull was shaped from a single large Koa log harvested from island rainforests, where they were carved before being transported to the coast. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. Koa is the same wood as was used to make the canoe. 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 frame measures 20.75" high, 26.75" wide and 0.88" deep. 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 mat (LU117324682022, 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 (1728-1779) during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...
Category

1780s Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Engraving Print from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie Nautical Subject, 1782-1832
Located in Milan, IT
Print by engraving on copper plate from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie méthodique, end of the 18th century, volume Marine Planches (more than 1,500 figures dealing with all subjects on the marina: planes, construction, carpentry, tree trunks, armaments of maneuvers, ropes, sails, artillery, ship maneuvers and combat tactics). This is the plate no. n. 26, pag. 70 fig. 350-353; with frame cm 38.3 x 31.5. Ship ropes are depicted. The Print has the "Benard direxit...
Category

Antique 1790s French Nautical Objects

Materials

Paper

A Sledge of Kamtschatka – An image of a relic from Captain Cook's third voyage
By John Webber
Located in Middletown, NY
London: Scatcherd & Whitaker, 1784. Etching with hand coloring in watercolor on cream wove paper, 7 1/2 x 10 (190 x 255); sheet 16 1/4 x 22 (414 x 560 mm), full margins. In good cond...
Category

Late 18th Century English School Still-life Prints

Materials

Handmade Paper, Etching, Watercolor

Flotte d'Otahiti Assembled at Oparee, Colored Engraving, Robert Benard, 1778
By Robert Benard
Located in Madrid, ES
Flotte d'Otahiti assembled at Oparee. Colored engraving. Robert Benard (active 1750-1785), 1778. Hand-colored engraving from the series “The Voyages of Captain Cook”, which makes n...
Category

Antique 1770s European Neoclassical Prints

Materials

Other

Boats of the Friendly Isles, Tonga: Original 18th C. Engraving from Captain Cook
By William Hodges
Located in Alamo, CA
"Boats of the Friendly Isles" is an original 18th century engraving from a drawing by William Hodges (1744-1797), who was the artist who accompanies Captain Cook on his second voyage...
Category

1780s Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving