Catalog Archive
Auction 136, Lot 293

"[Lot of 4 - Hawaiian Portraits]",

Subject: Hawaii

Period: 1780-1800 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
See Description
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

1) Man of the Sandwich Islands / Woman of the Sandwich Islands (7.8 x 5.5"). The man on the left is Chief Kaneena who Cook found particularly curious and intelligent. He was, unfortunately, killed in the same skirmish that took Captain Cook's life. Feathered cloak and headdress were reserved for ceremonious occasions only by chiefs. The handsome woman is wearing a cloak and leis around her neck and hair. Cook described the lei as being composed "of exceedingly small feathers, woven so close together as to form a surface as smooth as that of the richest velvet." Engraved by Sparrow. Very good example on thick hand laid paper. (A)

2 & 3) A Woman of the Sandwich Islands, in the North Pacific Ocean (5 x 6.8"). Matched pair of engravings show the same young woman described above. Engraved by A. Warren. Both are fine (A+).

4) Femme Sandewich, (5 x 7"). This small full portrait shows an important royal woman judging from her feather headdress and cloak. She is holding a royal scepter with long, exotic feathers. The margins are less than full, but outside the plate mark and adequate for framing. (B+)

References:

Condition:

The first is on early machine-made paper, the other three are on hand laid paper, all with generous margins except the last. See individual descriptions for additional condition information.

Estimate: $180 - $220

Sold for: $100

Closed on 6/1/2011

Archived