Antique & Decorative
Lot 273:
AN ANTIQUE PRINTED MAP ‘IAPONIA REGNUM’ BY M. MARTINI, J. BLAEU, P. MORTIER, Amsterdam 1655-c.1700. Copperplate, original outline colour. An elegant and finely engraved map of Japan, important and influential. The Great Wall of China appears at the far left; Christian communities in Japan are marked with a cross; two volcanic islands are shown with smoke. Geographic details were probably informed by material which the author Martini collected in China. The Dutch place-names in the north-east of the islands and detail of the Izu islands were probably added by Martini’s publisher, Blaeu, from charts of the Dutch East India Company. This example is an alternate state with the names of De Wit and Mortier added; the copperplates for Blaeu’s Atlas Sinensis were sold at auction to various printers. 425 by 575mm (16.75 by 22.75 inches)
This example has been laid on archival tissue and is trimmed close with protective margins added for mounting. A little age-toning but an attractive example.
Share this lot:
