Bidspirit auction | Robert Bénard (1734–1777) – Coffre

Robert Bénard (1734–1777) – Coffre sculpté des Habitans de la Nouvelle Zélande – Copperplate Engraving from Voyage de la Pérouse autour du monde, Tome III, Plate 15 (1797) - This engraving shows a richly carved wooden box made by the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand, labeled Coffre sculpté des Habitans de la Nouvelle Zélande. The design captures the elaborate spiral and linear motifs typical of traditional Māori woodcarving. The box is presented open and closed to emphasize the craftsmanship and intricate relief patterning. This plate appeared as Plate 15 in Volume III of Voyage de la Pérouse autour du monde, the official account of the French expedition led by Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, which sought to explore the Pacific and advance scientific and ethnographic understanding of remote cultures. The plate was engraved under the direction of Robert Bénard, the principal engraver for the publication.Robert Bénard (1734–1777) was a renowned French engraver known for his precise technical work and his contributions to major Enlightenment publications, most notably Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie. He also served as the lead engraver for the illustrated volumes documenting scientific voyages, including those of Lapérouse and Bougainville. His engravings are celebrated for their clarity and ethnographic detail, shaping how 18th-century Europe visualized the wider world.Artist or Maker: Robert BénardDimensions: 26 cm x 20 cmMedium: Copperplate EngravingDate: 1797Condition Report:This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.