Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011)Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board titled, "1800s Life in the Marshalls - Tattooed Warrior" Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Warrior with Canoes stamp issued Septemer 15, 1993. Since most warfare in the Marshalls took place between neighboring islands, canoes were significant part of the fighting. Warring factions heavily depended upon these vessels to wage attacks on their enemies. The weapons thought to have been fashioned from the spiny tails of stingrays lashed to pointed wooden shafts. Undoubtedly, a skilled spear thrower could win many a battle with such a fierce weapon. The attire of the warrior was similar to that of all ancient Marshallese men. He wore a kilt of narrow pandanus leaf strips over a loincloth of plaited pandanus matting, and his torso was profusely tattooed with intricate patterns. Image Size: 14.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 18 x 21 in. Unframed. (B14474)