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Marquesas Collection

Discover the captivating culture through their timeless tattoos

Background imageMarquesas Collection: 1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed couple

1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed couple
Early Lithographic print by Carl Brodtmann from Dr. Shinz, " Naturgeschichte und Abbilldungen des Menschen der verschiedenen" 1827, with hand colouring

Background imageMarquesas Collection: History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands

History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands
5315228 History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands; (add.info.: History and origins of tattooing - Ritual tattoos of a native of New Guinea Islands)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Marquesas Islanders wearing headdresses in war canoes or outrigger canoes in Resolution Bay or

Marquesas Islanders wearing headdresses in war canoes or outrigger canoes in Resolution Bay or Vaitahu
FLO4624540 Marquesas Islanders wearing headdresses in war canoes or outrigger canoes in Resolution Bay or Vaitahu. Handcoloured copperplate engraved by Andrea Bernieri from Giulio Ferrario's

Background imageMarquesas Collection: History and origins of tattooing New Guinea native ritual tattoo

History and origins of tattooing New Guinea native ritual tattoo
2616021 History and origins of tattooing New Guinea native ritual tattoo by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: History)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Jean Baptiste Capri, a French deserter who

Jean Baptiste Capri, a French deserter who lived on Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, with tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberls The World in Miniature, The South Sea Islands

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037705

DDE-90037705
South Pacific; French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands; Fatu Hiva; Hanavave Pleasant stream cutting through the lush valley Date: 22/10/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037707

DDE-90037707
Neo-gothic spire church with smoking cloud background, Omoa, Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Date: 22/10/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037706

DDE-90037706
South Pacific; French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands; Fatu Hiva; Hanavave, Bay of Virgins laced with fanciful clouds and sculptured mountains Date: 22/10/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037704

DDE-90037704
Lush island greenery at boat approach, Hana Vave Island, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Date: 22/10/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037667

DDE-90037667
Horse, Puamua, Hiva Oa, Marquesas, French Polynesia Date: 07/04/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037657

DDE-90037657
Horses, Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Date: 07/04/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: DDE-90037656

DDE-90037656
Horses, Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Date: 07/04/2005

Background imageMarquesas Collection: A Marquesan Chief (engraving)

A Marquesan Chief (engraving)
5223484 A Marquesan Chief (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Marquesan Chief)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Man and woman of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Polynesia

Man and woman of Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Polynesia
Man and woman of Nuku Hiva (St. Christian), Marquesas Islands, Polynesia, 1818. Chief and woman in elaborate feather headdress, cloak and robes with basket and stick

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Inhabitants of California, America, 1818

Inhabitants of California, America, 1818. They wear feather headdresses, and the woman wears a grass skirt and carries a basket on a stick

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Native man of La Magdalena (Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands)

Native man of La Magdalena (Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands) with sling, loincloth, headband and tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberls The World in Miniature

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Native man of Nuku Hiva with spear and skull

Native man of Nuku Hiva with spear and skull
Native of Nuku Hiva with spear and skull. Young man of the Marquesas Islands not completely tattooed. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberls The World in Miniature

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Native man of La Magdalena (Fatu Hiva, Marquesas

Native man of La Magdalena (Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Islands) with club, loincloth, necklace and tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberls The World in Miniature

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Native man of distinction from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Native man of distinction from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, with club, fan, loincloth and full body tattoos. Handcoloured stipple engraving from Frederic Shoberls The World in Miniature

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Tattooed warrior of Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands

Tattooed warrior of Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands (Nukahiwa). In headdress and loincloth, full body tattoos, holding a large mace. Copied from Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Marquesas Islanders in war pirogues or outrigger canoes

Marquesas Islanders in war pirogues or outrigger canoes
Marquesas Islanders wearing headdresses in war pirogues or outrigger canoes in Resolution Bay or Vaitahu. Handcoloured copperplate engraved by Andrea Bernieri from Giulio Ferrarios Ancient

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Marquesas Islanders: woman in turban

Marquesas Islanders: woman in turban, and chief of Tahuata Island (Santa Christina) in headdress. Feather headdress 1, fringed necklace 2, 4, fan 3, and war mace 5

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Pirogue of the Marquesas islanders (engraving)

Pirogue of the Marquesas islanders (engraving)
2781465 Pirogue of the Marquesas islanders (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pirogue of the Marquesas islanders)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Studio Portrait of Tohotaua, 1902 (photo)

Studio Portrait of Tohotaua, 1902 (photo)
3587620 Studio Portrait of Tohotaua, 1902 (photo) by Grelet, Louis (fl.1902); Private Collection; (add.info.: The model/sitter for the Gauguin painting " Girl with a Fan", Tohotaua)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Various Examples of Tattooing (engraving)

Various Examples of Tattooing (engraving)
2791390 Various Examples of Tattooing (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Various Examples of Tattooing)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Natives of the Marquesas (engraving)

Natives of the Marquesas (engraving)
2781446 Natives of the Marquesas (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Natives of the Marquesas)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Tattoo Marks on a Chief of the Marquesas (engraving)

Tattoo Marks on a Chief of the Marquesas (engraving)
664894 Tattoo Marks on a Chief of the Marquesas (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tattoo Marks on a Chief of the Marquesas)

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Polynesia or Islands in the Pacific Ocean, from a Series of World Maps by John Tallis

Polynesia or Islands in the Pacific Ocean, from a Series of World Maps by John Tallis
STC190606 Polynesia or Islands in the Pacific Ocean, from a Series of World Maps by John Tallis & Co. New York & London, 1850s (engraving) by Rapkin

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Cavalier devant la case, 1902

Cavalier devant la case, 1902. Private Collection

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Alvaro Mendana de Neira (1541-1595), Spanish navigator, he sent expeditions

Alvaro Mendana de Neira (1541-1595), Spanish navigator, he sent expeditions to the Marquesas islands, engraving, 1880

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Tattooed Marquesan

Tattooed Marquesan
A man of the Marquesas Islands, tattooed from top to toe Date: 1850

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Examples of Tattooing

Examples of Tattooing
Various examples of face tattooing from New Zealand, Fiji, East Africa & Marquesas Date: Nineteenth century

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Massive white-bellied reef manta ray defecating

Massive white-bellied reef manta ray defecating, Marquesas, French Polynesia

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Polynesian clubs and insignia of rank, from The History of Mankind, Vol

Polynesian clubs and insignia of rank, from The History of Mankind, Vol
BAL126176 Polynesian clubs and insignia of rank, from The History of Mankind, Vol.1, by Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, 1896 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English

Background imageMarquesas Collection: French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, tropical vegetation on Nuku hiva Island

French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, tropical vegetation on Nuku hiva Island
French Polynesia (French overseas territory) - Marquesas Islands - Island of Nuku hiva. Tropical forest

Background imageMarquesas Collection: French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, Nuku Hiva Island, Akapa Bay

French Polynesia, Marquesas Islands, Nuku Hiva Island, Akapa Bay
French Polynesia (French overseas territory) - Marquesas Islands - Nuku Hiva Island, Akapa Bay

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Idol from the Marquesas Islands

Idol from the Marquesas Islands
A photograph taken during the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger (1872-1876) funded by the British Government for scientific purposes

Background imageMarquesas Collection: 1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed warrior

1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed warrior
Early Lithographic print by Carl Brodtmann from " Dr. Shinz, Naturgeschichte und Abbilldungen des Menschen der verschiedenen" 1827, with later hand colouring

Background imageMarquesas Collection: 1811 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed warriors

1811 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed warriors
Copperplate print ca 1811 from the seventh volume of F.J. Bertuchs " Bilderbuch Fuer Kinder" with contemporary hand colouring. Two Marquesas warriors with traditional tribal tattoos

Background imageMarquesas Collection: 1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed man

1827 Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed man
Early Lithographic print by Carl Brodtmann from " Dr. Shinz, Naturgeschichte und Abbilldungen des Menschen der verschiedenen" 1827, with later hand colouring

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Man and Woman of the Island of Tahuata

Man and Woman of the Island of Tahuata (St Christian Island), the smallest of the Marquesas Islands, a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, in the southern Pacific Ocean

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Pacific Marquesas

Pacific Marquesas
Entrance to the valley of Akaoui, on Nuku Hiva

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Octopus Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Island

Octopus Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Island
VT-2123 Octopus Fatu Hiva, Marquesas Island Valerie & Ron Taylor Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Tiki Taiohae

Tiki Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, Pacific Islands

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Vaitahu Bay

Vaitahu Bay, island of Tahuata, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, Pacific

Background imageMarquesas Collection: La Baie des Vierges (Bay of the Virgins)

La Baie des Vierges (Bay of the Virgins), Hanavave, island of Fatu Iva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, Pacific

Background imageMarquesas Collection: Racial / Marquesas Natives

Racial / Marquesas Natives
Marquesas Islands: two native men with an idol



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Discover the captivating culture through their timeless tattoos. In 1827, a Nukahiva Marquesas tattooed couple showcased their intricate body art, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of this Polynesian paradise. The Tattooed Marquesan people were known for their stunning designs, as seen in images like DDE-90037705 and DDE-90037707. Each tattoo told a unique story, symbolizing strength, courage, and ancestral connections. The enigmatic allure is beautifully captured in photographs like DDE-90037706 and DDE-90037704. These snapshots transport us to a bygone era when the island's inhabitants proudly displayed their cultural identity through body adornment. Even an engraving depicting 'A Marquesan Chief' offers a glimpse into the esteemed position these individuals held within society. Beyond tattoos, Marquesas was home to diverse communities such as those depicted in DDE-90037667 and DDE-90037657. From Man and woman of Nuku Hiva to Inhabitants of California in 1818 - these images showcase the vibrant diversity that existed within this remote corner of Polynesia. Marquesas continues to fascinate with its untouched beauty and ancient customs that have stood the test of time. Step into this mesmerizing world where tradition meets natural splendor; immerse yourself in the enchanting spirit of Marquesas.