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Pirates of the West Indies, armed with musket
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Pirates of the West Indies, armed with musket
Male and female pirates of the West Indies, armed with musket and cutlass, early 1800s. The buccaneer at left wears a linen shirt dyed with animal blood. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Migliavacca from Giulio Ferrrarios Costumes Antique and Modern of All Peoples (Il Costume Antico e Moderno di Tutti i Popoli), Florence, 1842
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Media ID 23172378
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Antique Blood Buccaneer Cutlass Ferrrario Giulio Indies Linen Musket Nation Peoples Piracy Pirate Shirt Weapon
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This handcoloured copperplate engraving, created by Migliavacca for Giulio Ferrario's 'Costumes Antique and Modern of All Peoples' published in Florence in 1842, transports us back to the early 1800s and the golden age of piracy in the West Indies. The image depicts a group of male and female pirates, their faces etched with determination and defiance, armed with the quintessential weapons of their trade: muskets and cutlasses. The pirate on the left, with his unruly beard and a menacing scowl, wears a linen shirt dyed a deep, dark hue with animal blood. His dog, a loyal companion in the treacherous waters of the West Indies, sits obediently at his feet. The female pirate to his right, her eyes blazing with fierce intensity, holds a musket in one hand and a cutlass in the other. Her flowing hair and revealing attire are a testament to the freedom and independence that piracy offered to women in this era. The intricate details of the engraving, from the folds of their clothing to the textures of their weapons, bring these pirates to life, transporting us to a time when the lines between law and lawlessness were blurred, and the lure of treasure and adventure called to the bravest of souls. This image, a beautiful example of the filibustieri culture of the West Indies, serves as a reminder of the complex and intriguing history of piracy and its enduring allure. The diverse representation of races, tribes, and nations in Ferrario's 'Costumes Antique and Modern of All Peoples' reflects the multicultural nature of piracy, making this engraving a fascinating glimpse into the past.
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