3-Antique Prints-FRIENDLY ISLANDS-TONGA-KING-ATTIRE-Labrousse-Grasset-1797

(King, Man, and Woman from Tonga, the “Friendly Islands”) The images represent individuals from the Friendly Islands, also known as Tonga, in the South Pacific. The first image depicts the king or a high-ranking chief, indicated by his regal stance and possibly ornate attire, signifying his status within the society. The second image shows a man from the Friendly Islands, dressed in traditional Tongan attire, which includes a tupenu (a cloth wrap) and other cultural adornments. The third image portrays a woman from the Friendly Islands, also in traditional attire, which might include garments such as a kiekie or ta’ovala, both types of waist mats or girdles that are traditional in Tongan culture. Each engraving is rich in detail and reflective of the traditional dress and social structure of Tonga during the period of the engravings.

Made by Labrousse after Jacques Grasset de Saint Sauveur.

Medium: Handcoloured line and aquatint etching on hand laid paper.

Sheet size: 20.5 x 26.1 cm (8.07 x 10.28 inch). Image size: 14.7 x 20.5 cm. (5.79 x 8.07 inch).

Condition: good, given age. Paper edges a bit irregular and brownish from binding. . General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

FRIENDLY ISLANDS-TONGA-KING-TRADITIONAL ATTIRE-STATUS-CULTURE-ENGRAVING | PCO-C27-18

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Costumes de Differents Pays …’ by Jacques Grasset de Saint Sauveur, c.1797.

Biography engraver: Labrousse was a late 18th. C. engraver from Bordeaux. .

Biography artist: Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur (1757-1810) was born as son of a diplomat in Montreal, Canada. He was exposed to varying cultures at an early age.