Spice Map Insulae Moluccae
INDIES GALLERY
The "Spice Map"
Insulae Moluccae celeberrimæ
Grail map of Southeast Asia
sunt ob Maximamaromatum copiam quam per totum
By many collectors considered the holy grail in
terrarum orbem mittunt…
any Southeast Asian map collection. First published in 1594, covering the Philippines and Maritime Southeast Asia, including the famed Spice Islands. Based on covertly obtained Portuguese manuscript charts. The map is a vast improvement over previously printed maps of the region, with most of the islands well-delineated,
Publication Amsterdam, 1592-94 Condition Good, study images carefully Dimensions 55 by 40 cm.
well-placed, and correctly named. This map is known as the “Spice Map” for its illustration of nutmeg, clove, and sandalwood included along the bottom of the map. The map was published as a means of promoting the commercial importance and viability of prospective Dutch voyages to the Spice Islands.
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Price 105,800 USD.
New Guinea and the islands to the east are unfinished, with open coastlines to the south. This reflected the state of knowledge at the time, and the hypothesis that they might connect to a large southern continent. While extraordinarily well-formed for the time, there are a few oddities in the map that have to do with it being a still little-known, to the Dutch, area. Palawan is confused with the Calamianes. The west coast of New Guinea is separated and shown as the island of Seram (Ceiram), which also has the Guinean port of Canam. This last detail would be repeated in later maps, such as those by Linschoten and
Rossi.
In the seas, rhumb lines criss-cross the water, suggesting possible navigation. This navigational theme is echoed in the sailing ships that are in seas too. Beware, however, as there are many sea monsters dotting the map as well. A massive compass rose is a distinctive feature, as are the detailed strapwork cartouches housing the title, scale bars, and publication information. In addition to the map's importance as an iconic illustration of the opening of the spice trade to Dutch traders, this map served as the model for Jodocus Hondius's Philippinae Insulae, the first printed map of the
Philippine Islands.
INDIES GALLERY We buy and sell antique maps, prints, books and photographs, dating from the fifteenth to the twentieth century. With over 25 years of experience in collecting and trading, our total inventory includes over 8000 authentic antiques. Whether you're an experienced collector or a first-time buyer, we offer an extensive collection in all price ranges. Apart from private collectors, our clients include institutions such as the National Museum of Singapore, National Library of Singapore, National Library of Australia, The Louvre Abu Dhabi, University of Leiden, and many others. Based in Singapore & Jakarta
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OUR REPRODUCTIONS We offer our collection as a high-quality reprints, framed and un-framed. Our primary profession is dealing with authentic, antique maps and prints. But for years, people have marvelled over our original material, asking if we could make them at a fraction of the cost of the originals. Eventually, we gave in and "Old East Indies - Indonesian Heritage Art Collection" was born.
Contact us to receive our Reproduction Catalogue.
INDIES GALLERY View all our catalogues by clicking HERE
www.IndiesGallery.com +62 8131900 4269 +65 8344 7596
Indies Gallery, Original Antique Maps, Prints and Books INDIES GALLERY
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