Asiae nova descriptio

Acquired From: Gowrie Galleries

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 9/12/2003

Dealers ID No.: M463 (STK 1421.01)

Description: Frederik de Wit began his career as an apprentice to Willem Blaeu before establishing his own publishing house in Amsterdam in 1648 under the sign De Drie Crabben (the Three Crabs). In 1655, he renamed his shop Witte Pascaert (the White Chart), from which he issued a wide range of cartographic works, including single-sheet maps, wall maps, atlases, and sea charts. Renowned for their refined engraving and vivid hand-colouring, De Wits productions rank among the most admired of seventeenth-century Dutch cartography.nHis major publications include Atlas Belgium (1667), Atlas (c. 1670), Atlas Minor (1670), Zee Atlas (1675), Orbis Maritimus ofte Zee Atlas (1675), and Atlas Major (1690s).nThis map of Asia forms part of De Wit's series on the four continents, first issuedaround 1660. While initially issued as separate sheets, later impressions were adapted for atlas use, as indicated by folio numbers in the upper right corner. This present example represents the fourth state, marked with the numeral 5 overwritten as 4, a progression from earlier states inscribed "fo4."nGeographically, the map reflects updated European knowledge of Asia incorporating information from Abel Tasmans 1644 voyage along the northern coast of Australia and the Gulf of Carpentaria, as well as Jacob Le Maires observations of New Guinea. The title cartouche in the lower left depicts a regal personification of Asia, derived from the designs of Maerten de Vos and engraved by Adriaen Collaert. She is shown seated on a camel, richly dressed, and holding a censer, symbolizing exoticism and wealth.nThree decorative borders frame the map. The upper border displays oval views of Ormus, Aden, Jerusalem, Damascus, Rhodes, and Famagusta, adapted in reverse from Jodocus Hondiuss 1623 map. The side borders depict Asian figures in traditional dressTartars, Arabs, Chinese, and Javanese men and womenderived from Pieter van den Keeres 1614 map (View Record (#8)), each identified by Latin captions.n Tartarus (Tartar man) Chynaica Mulier (Chinese woman) Arabis (Arab man) Mulier Javanica (Javanese woman) Mulier Tartarica (Tartar woman) Chynensis (Chinese man) Arabic Mulier (Arabic woman) Javensis (Javanese man)

Engraver: Collaert, Adriaen

First published: Atlas, Amsterdam: Frederick de Wit, 1670

Mapmaker: Wit, Frederick de (1610-1698)

Other states: First (lack of folio numbers). Second (1660 and fo4), Third (1660 removed and fo4 is still visible),

Price: A8,800 plus gst

Primary Category: Asia

Purchase Reference: Inv. 1993

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Schilder (2000), Monumenta cartographica Neerlandica, 157nDavid Parry (2005), The Cartography of the East Indian Islands:, 118

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1670-1671, ? Fourth


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