Catalog Archive
Auction 153, Lot 642

De Wit's Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia

"Asiae Nova Descriptio", Wit, Frederick de

Subject: Asia

Period: 1661 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
21.7 x 17.2 inches
55.1 x 43.7 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is a splendid example of one of the last Dutch carte-a-figures continental maps. The continent is shown with the northern and eastern coastline of mainland Asia on the Mercator-Hondius model. It incorporates the discoveries made by the 1643 De Vries expedition and the discoveries of Le Maire in New Guinea. The map is illustrated with flanking panels featuring costumed figures from China, Tartary, Arabia and the East Indies. The panels above show panoramas and plans of Ormus, Aden, Jerusalem, Damascus, Rhodes and Famagusta. The title cartouche is adorned by a female representation of the continent riding a camel.

References: Yeo #51.

Condition: B

On watermarked paper with a centerfold separation at bottom that extends through half the map and an attendant 3" tear both closed on verso with archival material. Several edge tears and chips in both bottom corners have been archivally repaired. Light soiling.

Estimate: $1,800 - $2,200

Sold for: $900

Closed on 5/20/2015

Archived