Comments - Fantastic portrait of a handsome young man from the island of Yap in the western Pacific, mixing an intoxicating stimulant using betel nuts, mint leaves, and lime from coral. He cradles the leaf in his hand as he shakes lime onto it from a bamboo container, concentrating on his work. He wears a colorful loincloth with violet, red, and black stripes, the ends of the sash trailing on the ground behind him. Blossoms are tucked into his wavy hair and loincloth, and he is adorned with a red beaded necklace, earrings, a beaded bracelet with slender feathers, and a stalk of grass knotted about his upper arm. The background features beautiful pale silvery blue mica, which along with the carver Honda, indicate that this print is from the extremely rare first edition. A lovely and classic Jacoulet portrait of a native islander, beautifully drawn and exquisitely carved, printed, and colored. This print comes with the extremely rare, original windowed viewing folder, with pencil notations and a small red seal on the front. A terrific opportunity for the serious collector.

French title - Le Betel "Yap"
English title - The Betel Nut Boy, Yap
Date - March 27, 1940
Signed - Pencil signed Paul Jacoulet in subject at center right, with red artist's "boat" seal
Carver - Maeda
Printer - Honda
Edition - First printing of 150, fewer than 90 impressions

Artist - Jacoulet (1896 - 1960)

Image Size - Print 15 3/8" x 11 3/4" + margins as shown; folder 20 1/4" x 15"

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail as shown. Print is loose inside windowed viewing folder. Drying holes in left margin. Slight toning, faint mark near bottom edge. Nice overall. Folder: slight toning and soiling, a few spots and creases. Please see photos for details.