Coracora van de Banda-eilanden, 1599 1600s - 1610s

This print from 1599, made by an anonymous artist, depicts a ‘coracora’ war vessel from the Banda Islands. It's made by incising lines into a metal plate, likely copper, then inking and pressing onto paper. The image’s stark contrast isn’t just aesthetic; it signifies the clash of cultures. The coracora itself, a marvel of indigenous craftsmanship, is rendered with detailed attention. You can see the texture of the wood, the woven elements, and the carved dragon heads at each end. Imagine the labor: felling trees, shaping planks, and assembling this formidable war machine. This wasn't just construction, it was a cultural expression, deeply embedded in the social fabric of the Banda Islands. But consider the context: this print was made for a European audience, amidst Dutch colonial expansion in the Spice Islands. The image reduces the coracora to a mere object, a commodity in the theater of conquest. What was once an object of cultural pride is re-presented as an exotic curiosity. This print isn't just ink on paper; it's an artifact of a power dynamic.