NZ Maori King Tawhiao. Matutaera, POTATAU II tattoos.
$195.00
Tawhiao, Tukaroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero, antique print.
Waidato leader, son of the first Maori King, Potatau Te Whereowhero and Whakaawi, Potatau's senior wife. Born at Orongokoekoea on the upper Mokau River towards the end of the musket wars between Nga Puhi and Waikato, it is said that he was named Tukaroto to commemorate Potatau's stand at the siege of Matakitaki pa in May 1822. Tawhaio was baptised Matutaera (Methuselah) by the Anglican missionary Robert Burrows. In 1864 Te Ua Haumene, the Hauhau prophet, bestowed on him the name Tawhiao. He became one of the earliest influential figures in the structure and management of self-rule for Maoris tribes in New Zealand.
Original superbly engraved mezzotint and steel engraving for The Picturesque Atlas of Australasia published c1888 to commemorate 100 years of settlement in Australia after the First Fleet arrival in 1788 at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson. With over 700 engravings of Australia and the neighbouring countries, it was the most comprehensive historic pictorial description ever undertaken of this region. The Picturesque Atlas Publishing Company was set up in Sydney specifically for the task, and the finest artists, engravers, scientists and historians were employed for the production. The illustrations were among the finest published in the late 19th century.
Image size 240 x 180mm (9.5 x 7 inches). Page size 365 x 265mm ( approx 14 3/8 x 10 1/2 inches). This engraving is in fine condition with wide borders.
