Catalog Archive
Auction 128, Lot 845

"[Taprobana]", Bordone, Benedetto

Subject: Sri Lanka

Period: 1534 (circa)

Publication: Isolario

Color: Black & White

Size:
6 x 8 inches
15.2 x 20.3 cm
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An excellent, early woodcut map of Sri Lanka showing simple topography, with a portion of the mainland of India shown at top. Bordone was an illuminator and wood-engraver working in Venice, when he was given permission by the Senate to print maps of Italy and the world. None of those maps have survived and his only remaining works are the maps from the Isolario (Island Book). Italian text below and on verso.

References:

Condition: A

Some light surface soil, else fine.

Estimate: $350 - $450

Sold for: $325

Closed on 5/20/2009

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