This ink drawing from about 1845 portrays Māori in the Bay of Islands as having supposedly Jewish characteristics, including elongated noses and a propensity for trading. The idea that Māori, like Jews, were descendants of Noah's middle son, Shem, was widespread among missionaries in the first half of the 19th century.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
A-079-017
Ink and wash drawing by John Williams
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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