19th-century engraving – Oceania: Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa (Philippoteaux, c. 1859)

A rare period steel engraving, finely hand-colored, offering an ethnographic panorama of the Pacific peoples in the mid-19th century.


The scene depicts five figures in a coastal landscape: a Tahitian man with his coconut harvest, a young girl from the Viti Islands (Fiji), a woman from Opolou (Samoa) draped in tapa cloth, a woman from Rotuma Island, and a man from the Caroline Islands (Iros), showcasing the intricate art of traditional tattooing.


The artwork was drawn by Henri Félix Emmanuel Philippoteaux, a major 19th-century illustrator, and engraved by Pierre. The delicate lines allow for observation of the details of the traditional adornments and dwellings in the background.


A beautiful period impression with vibrant colors. Some minor signs of age (slight foxing or yellowing of the paper) may be present, enhancing its authenticity.


Collectors of Oceanic art, enthusiasts of antique prints, ethnography, or lovers of distinctive historical decor.


Framing is done by us to ensure the protection of the print and enhance its presentation.


International shipping. Delivery via Colissimo with careful packaging and reinforced protection of the item.


DIMENSIONS: Frame 21x30cm / Print 16.5x26cm
DATE: Circa 1859, 19th century
ORIGIN: Paris, France. Plate from Malte-Brun's "Géographie Universelle".