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1967-344,3, Print
On Nee Yeath Tow no Riow, CONING VAN GRANAIAH HORE vulgo CONING IAN.
1967-344,3, Print

On Nee Yeath Tow no Riow, CONING VAN GRANAIAH HORE vulgo CONING IAN.

Date1710-1712
Publisher Pieter Schenk (1660 - c. 1711)
OriginEurope, Netherlands, Amsterdam
MediumMezzotint on laid paper
DimensionsOverall: 8 3/4 × 6 11/16in. (22.2 × 17cm) Other (Plate): 8 3/8 × 6 1/4in. (21.3 × 15.9cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1967-344,3
DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "On Nee Yeath Tow no Riow,/ CONING VAN GRANAIAH HORE vulgo CONING IAN./ P. Schenck exc. Amst. C.P./ Un des quatre Roys Indiens, lesquels ont eu audience aupres la Reine de la Grande Bri-/ tagne le 2 de May 1710, requerans assistence contre les Francois en Amerique entre la/ Nouvelle Angleterre et Canada etc."
Label TextIn 1710, a diplomatic envoy of four Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) representatives – whom the English dubbed “The Four Indian Kings” – travelled to London to discuss the terms of an alliance with the English. They would not have been considered as such in their own societies, but they held authority in this case as diplomats. While at the court of Queen Anne, they successfully negotiated for the construction of a chapel and fortification staffed with English soldiers for protection against the French to be built west of Schenectady. Three members of the delegation were Mohawk, and one member was Mohican.

Their visit caused a sensation,-- inspiring fashion trends, plays, and ballads. Several artists made portraits of the emissaries that were engraved in various sizes and differing prices such as this smaller-scale mezzotint published by Pieter Schenck. Queen Anne commissioned full-length portraits of the men which were painted by John Verelst and engraved by John Simon (see 1999-48, 1999-49, 1999-50, and 1999-51).Those prints were sent back to present-day New York and presented to Haudenosaunee leaders. Colonial centers of government were sent copies, including Williamsburg where they were likely displayed in the Council Chamber of the Capitol.

Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row or Johannes (John) Onekaheriako was given the title "Coning [King of] Van Granaiah Hore" on the print which possibly is a reference to Canajoharie a Mohawk town in present-day New York.
ProvenanceBefore 1967, The Old Print Shop (New York, NY); 1967-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).