A Map of the Coast of Malabar, Madura and Cormendel

1703

Later hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

Without mount: 11.1 x 13.6 in (28.2 x 34.7 cm)
With mount: 18.1 x 20.7 in (46 x 52.8 cm)

This antique engraving is taken from Voyages and Travels into Brasil and the East-Indies, Containing an Exact Description of the Dutch Brasil and diverse Parts of the East-Indies; their Provinces, Cities, Living Creatures, and their Products..., by John Nieuhoff. It includes a detailed account of the Dutch Brazil and several East-Indies regions, including their provinces, cities, living creatures, and products.

The map displays a portion of Sri Lanka and the southernmost point of India. Numerous place names are mentioned, such as Cananor, Goa, and Calcutta (Calichut). Elephants and ostriches are among the many exotic animals that adorn the inside of the map. The sea is full of ships of all shapes and sizes, and it is adorned with two compass roses. Local people and commodities surround the decorative cartouches for the title and scale of miles.

The Dutch East India Company petitioned the Chinese Emperor for trade concessions in 1655 by sending a delegation to Peking. Johan Nieuhoff, a world traveller, travelled with the delegation and documented all that happened. After his return to the Netherlands, Nieuhoff released his richly illustrated travel journal. The journal included this map showing the coastline regions of Ceylon and India.

This is from the earliest English translation of the text, which Awnsham and John Churchill published in London in 1703. Hendrik Cause and Gilliam van der Gouwen engraved a large number of the pieces.

John Nieuhoff [Nieuhof] (1618-1672)
“Nieuhof, a Dutch traveler and official, left two very interesting accounts of his years spent in Dutch Brazil and the Dutch East Indies. In his several travels in the East, he visited Dutch South Africa, Sumatra, Java, Amboyna, Formosa, China, Malacca, India, Ceylon, Persia, and St. Helena. His narratives give very informative accounts of the places he visited.” (Hill)

This work will be shipped unframed

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each lot.