Kava Drinkers, Friendly Islands (Tongatapu)

A large worked up pen and watercolour study of the same subject, including the King Paulaho in the foreground with a subject prostrating himself, and with additional figures in the left and right foreground, is in the collection of the Dixson Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, and was probably the model for plate 20 in volume I of Cook's A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean..., London, 1784. In addition 'A drawing of this subject (which probably preceded this [worked up] version but has not been located) is mentioned in Webber's Catalogue as no.15 'King Pawlehow drinking his Cava, and attended by the Principal Chiefs of the Island.' (R. Joppien and B. Smith, The Art of Captain Cook's Voyages, III, Catalogue, New Haven and London, 1988, p.318, 3.55)

En route from New Zealand to Tahiti on his third and last voyage, Cook was at Tongatapu from 10 June until 10 July 1777: 'This seat of royal kings, Tu'i Tonga, lords of Heaven and Earth, was the largest and richest of all the Tongan islands, and Paulaho the King was a truly friendly man...Paulaho extended his welcome and benificence. Cook landed close to the point called Holeva, his 'Observatory Point', not far from the northern entrance to the lagoon, was given a small house and had an area virtually made over to him for his convenience; almost immediately was held the first of many Kava ceremonies - though Cook, this time put off by the preliminary chewing of the root, passed his cup to Omai.' (J.C. Beaglehole, The Life of Captain James Cook, Stanford, 1974, pp.539-40)