Figures & Portraits · 18th century
€ 210
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good to very good for age. Light toning to wide margins, a few scattered small spots and subtle handling marks. Colors remain vivid and the printed image is clean and well-preserved.
Paasch-Eilanders – Antique Hand-Colored Engraving of Easter Island / Rapa Nui Figures (c.1800)
A striking early 19th-century hand-colored ethnographic engraving titled “Paasch-Eilanders,” depicting two Indigenous Rapa Nui (Easter Island) figures. One holds a European-style bicorn hat—likely a symbolic reference to first contact with explorers—while the other gestures prominently. Their faces are adorned with decorative body paint, and they wear feathered headdresses and traditional cloth coverings.
In the background stands a monumental Moai statue, one of the iconic ancestral figures carved by the Rapa Nui people. Decorative artifacts including a hand-carved club or ceremonial weapon and carved motifs at their feet emphasize the island’s unique cultural identity.
Signed in the plate: “S. Kuyper del.” (artist) and “J. Portman sc.” (engraver). Published by J. Allart in The Netherlands around 1800. A powerful historical document of Pacific exploration and one of the most desirable plates in this ethnographic series due to the recognizable Moai cultural heritage.
Condition:
Good, consistent with age. Minor edge wear, faint toning to margins, small scattered spots. Image clean and colors remain vivid with excellent detail. Full sheet with generous margins.
Framing Tips:
A dark or teak-toned frame pairs beautifully with Pacific subjects. Use a warm, neutral mat to highlight the hand-coloring and cultural details. UV-protective glazing recommended.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving
Maker: J. Allart (publisher), after S. Kuyper, engraved by J. Portman
Date: c.1800
Keywords: Easter Island art, Rapa Nui print, Moai statue, Pacific ethnography, South Pacific history, Cook voyages era, anthropology illustration, Oceania collectible, antique hand-colored engraving, museum quality print, J. Allart publisher, S. Kuyper artist, J. Portman engraver
