Bilder James Cook (1728-1779) – Maori Clubs of New Zealand – Engraving (1774)

Beskrivning

"Espece de Massue des Habitans de la Nouvelle Zelande appellees Patou-patous" This engraving illustrates a collection of traditional Maori hand weapons known as patu, specifically the patu onewa and kotiate forms. The plate displays five distinct clubs shown from various perspectives to highlight their carved ornamentation and structural design, alongside three smaller detail studies of the handles and butt ends. The text at the bottom identifies them as being between 14 and 18 inches in length. This plate was published in the French edition of James Cook's voyages, translated by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Suard and printed in Paris. The illustrations provided European audiences with some of the first detailed visual records of the material culture and craftsmanship of the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

James Cook was a British naval captain, navigator, and cartographer who achieved global fame for his three voyages of discovery to the Pacific Ocean. During his first voyage aboard the HMS Endeavour, he became the first European to perform a complete circumnavigation and detailed charting of the islands of New Zealand. Cook was accompanied by scientific illustrators and botanists who documented the landscapes, flora, fauna, and cultural artifacts encountered during the expedition. His journals and the accompanying engravings became foundational texts for the study of Pacific ethnography and geography. Cook's legacy remains a central, though complex, element in the history of maritime exploration and colonial encounter.

Artist or Maker: James Cook.

Dimensions: Approximately 26 cm x 20 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1774.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.