Daily Life in Atooi: An 18th-Century View of Kauai and Its People, circa 1785

€ 240

One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.

Date: 1785
Sheet size: 24 × 38 cm (9.4 × 15.0 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-13597-86

Condition

Repaired: One small tear in the right margin, touching the image, has been repaired with a small piece of tape on the reverse. Good condition, Aged paper with soiling and foxing due to handling and age, mainly along the edges, but especially on the right site. Study the images carefully.Seller L

About this sheet

This antique engraving with the caption "Habitations and People of the Island of Atooi," which is an old name for Kauai, part of the Hawaiian Islands. The engraving is captioned to have been engraved for "Bankes's New System of Geography Published by Royal Authority."

The scene is rich with cultural and ethnographic details. It shows several indigenous Hawaiian people engaged in various activities in front of thatched houses. The people are depicted in different poses, including sitting, standing, and engaging in what appears to be a form of communication or social interaction. The attire of the figures is minimal, which reflects the traditional clothing of the time, and some carry tools or weapons that suggest their daily tasks or roles within the society.

The landscape includes palm trees and rugged mountain terrain in the background, giving a sense of the island's topography. The sky is filled with clouds, and the overall impression is of a vibrant community living in a lush environment.