'Taijadaneega'. Lithographic portrait of Mohawk chief known as Joseph Brant

The Hague, Netherlands, 1836. Striking lithographic portrait of the famed Mohawk leader who fought with Great Britain in the American Revolution in the province of New York. Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant (1743 - 1807) was one of the best known Native Americans to both American colonists and British, and met both King George III and George Washington.

During the Revolution he led Mohawk and colonial Loyalist volunteers known as "Brant's Volunteers" in bitter partisan fights in New York. They fought at Saratoga, at the Battles of Oriskany and Cobleskill, the Attack on German Flatts, and the raid on Springfield. In 1779, they were engaged at the Battle of Minisink. After the war they were granted land in Ontario.

The portrait is head and shoulders, depicting the chief wearing a head piece of feathers, a curved metal breast piece, and long hanging earrings of interlocking circular pieces.

From a Dutch natural history work by Heinrich Schinz, 'Volledige Natuurlijke Historie der Zoogdieren', OCLC: 68008994. Plate 8, signed at the lower left "C. C. A. Last" and at the right, "Steend. v. S.d. Visser". 10 1/4 x 14". Light fox spotting around the portrait, otherwise very good condition.