Battle in Owhyhee (Hawaii) - Combat of Two Anthropophages, 1785 Engraving

Name: Battle in Owhyhee (Hawaii) - Combat of Two Anthropophages, 1785 Engraving
Brand: American Maps and Prints
SKU: BG-13806-112
Price: 270 USD
Availability: InStock

$270

€240 · dollar price at today's exchange rate

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Shipping to the United States: $51 standard, $73 express, insured and tracked.

Date: 1785
Kind: Views & Engravings
Size: 36.5 × 27.5 cm (14.4 × 10.8 in)
Condition: Good. The print has minor foxing on the edges, with slight yellowing overall. A small crease is noted in the lower left corner, and faint staining appears on the right margin. The image remains intact, rated good for its age.
Period: The Early Republic
Places: Hawaii
Reference: BG-13806-112

What the condition grades mean

Excellent: Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good: Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good: Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair: Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.

Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.

Guaranteed original. This is an original of the period stated, not a later reproduction or print-on-demand copy. If it is ever shown to be otherwise, we refund you in full.

Shipping to the United States. Sent from our gallery in Langweer, the Netherlands, flat between boards or rolled in a tube, and fully insured. Delivery and import charges.

About this piece

"Battle in Owhyhee: Combat of Two Anthropophages, 1785 Engraving" This dramatic print, titled "Combat de deux Anthropophages d'Owhay (Course à Owhay)," depicts a fierce battle between two Hawaiian warriors in traditional war attire.

One warrior, armed with a bow and arrow, takes aim, while the other, wielding a spear and shield, prepares to strike.

The term "anthropophages," meaning cannibals, reflects 18th-century European misconceptions about Polynesian cultures, adding a historical lens to the artwork.

Set against a rugged Hawaiian landscape with mountains, the scene captures the intensity of combat in Owhyhee (Hawaii).

Created by John Webber, the official artist of Captain James Cook’s third voyage (1776–1780), this print documents Cook’s first European contact with Hawaii.

Published in 1785, it was later reproduced by Pierre Langlumé’s lithography workshop at 4 Rue de l'Abbaye, Paris, as noted by "lith. de Langlumé." Langlumé, active from 1818, used lithography to preserve Webber’s original copperplate engraving, which showcases fine details in the warriors’ feathered headdresses, cloaks, and weaponry.

The grayscale palette emphasizes the dynamic tension and cultural details, making this print a compelling blend of ethnographic study and 18th-century art. It reflects the era’s fascination with Polynesian cultures during the Age of Exploration, offering a glimpse into Hawaiian warrior traditions before significant Western influence.

Perfect for collectors of Polynesian history or exploration art, this print captures a moment of conflict and cultural encounter, bridging 1785 with its early 19th-century reproduction by Langlumé’s workshop, a testament to the enduring interest in Cook’s voyages.

Condition Report: The print has minor foxing on the edges, with slight yellowing overall. A small crease is noted in the lower left corner, and faint staining appears on the right margin. The image remains intact, rated good for its age.

Framing Tips: Choose a double mat with a light gray inner mat and a dark taupe outer mat to match the grayscale tones. A black frame will highlight the drama. Use UV-protective glass to prevent fading, and avoid humid areas to preserve the engraving.

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