Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.9598
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Portrait of Lacenta and his party
Date
1729
Creator
John Savage (British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
35059
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 197mm
width (print): 290mm
width (print): 290mm
Subject
Geography
> Exploration
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British Empire
> Exploration
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British colonialism
Politics & Government
> Political doctrines
> British Empire
Description
Group portrait of a party of Kuna people headed by Lacenta, who wears a feathered headdress, followed by “his Lady”, and two children, with attendants.
Inscribed: “Damp.Voy.Vol.2 The Indians [sic] marching upon a Visit, or to a Feast. P.371.” Engraved by John Savage (active 1680-1700).
Wafer described the native method of navigation: “The Indians [sic], when they travel, guide themselves either by the Sun, when it shines, or by steering towards such a determinate Point, observing the bending of the Trees, according as the Wind is...they notch thre side of Trees to see which Side is thickest; which is always South...”
Plate facing p.371 of: A new voyage and description of the Isthmus of America. Giving and account of the Author’s abode there...by Lionel Wafer; within volume 3 of A collection of voyages..., by William Dampier et.al., 4 volumes, (London, James and John Knapton, 1729). Copy belonging to Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), President of the Royal Society.
Lionel Wafer (c.1640–1705) British surgeon and buccaneer was not a Fellow of the Royal Society. He embarked on an East India Company vessel in 1677 as an assistant surgeon and served a bried period as surgeon in Jamaica. Later joined a squadron of buccaneering vessels, where he met William Dampier (1651-1715). It was on an expedition with Dampier in 1681 that Wafer sustained an injury to his leg, which led to his being left in the Isthmus of Darien [Panama], living among the local Kuna people.
The Kuna, Guna, are a Chibchan-speaking Indian people who traditionally occupied the central region of what is now Panama and the neighbouring San Blas Islands.
Inscribed: “Damp.Voy.Vol.2 The Indians [sic] marching upon a Visit, or to a Feast. P.371.” Engraved by John Savage (active 1680-1700).
Wafer described the native method of navigation: “The Indians [sic], when they travel, guide themselves either by the Sun, when it shines, or by steering towards such a determinate Point, observing the bending of the Trees, according as the Wind is...they notch thre side of Trees to see which Side is thickest; which is always South...”
Plate facing p.371 of: A new voyage and description of the Isthmus of America. Giving and account of the Author’s abode there...by Lionel Wafer; within volume 3 of A collection of voyages..., by William Dampier et.al., 4 volumes, (London, James and John Knapton, 1729). Copy belonging to Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), President of the Royal Society.
Lionel Wafer (c.1640–1705) British surgeon and buccaneer was not a Fellow of the Royal Society. He embarked on an East India Company vessel in 1677 as an assistant surgeon and served a bried period as surgeon in Jamaica. Later joined a squadron of buccaneering vessels, where he met William Dampier (1651-1715). It was on an expedition with Dampier in 1681 that Wafer sustained an injury to his leg, which led to his being left in the Isthmus of Darien [Panama], living among the local Kuna people.
The Kuna, Guna, are a Chibchan-speaking Indian people who traditionally occupied the central region of what is now Panama and the neighbouring San Blas Islands.
Associated place