Asiae nova descriptio

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Excellent

Confirmed: 2/10/2024

Date Acquired: 8/3/2017

Description: Around 1584, Pieter van den Keere fled religious persecution in Ghent (now Belgium) and settled in London. His sister, Colette van den Keere ( #113), who also relocated to London, married Jodocus Hondius ( #18, #80, #82, #114, #123, #126, #253 and #272) in 1587. While in London, Pieter training as an engraver under his brother-in-law Hondius. In 1593, both Keere and Hondius left London and settled in Amsterdam, where they continued their work.nThis map was created by Pieter van den Keere for his 1614 series of folio-size maps of the four continents, featuring decorative borders. The title appears in the lower-left corner within a cartouche, crowned by a circular clock with Roman numerals. At the centre of the clock is a skull surrounded by flames, a distinctive design that became a recognisable feature of van den Keeres work. In in the lower-right corner, above the bar scale, is the place and year of the maps publication.nGeographically, the map closely follows Jodocus Hondiuss map of Asia, first published in the 1606 edition of Gerardi Mercatoris Atlas, sive, Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figuracommonly known as the Mercator-Hondius Atlas ( #253 for the 1623 edition). However, van den Keeres version incorporates updated cartographic knowledge, reflecting the evolving understanding of Asia over the eight years between the two maps' creation.nThe map is framed by an elaborate decorative border. Along the top and bottom, views of various towns are interspersed with portraits of rulers from key regions of Asia, including Tartary (broadly referring to Central Asia), China, Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka), Persia (modern-day Iran), Turkey, and the Moluccas (the Spice Islands). The vertical panels feature figures dressed in traditional costumes from different regions of Asia, underscoring van den Keere's focus on blending both geographical and ethnographic elements in his work.

Engraver: Keere, Pieter van den (1571-1646)

First published: Separate Publication

Image Size (cm): 43.5 x 56.5

Mapmaker: Keere, Pieter van den (1571-1646)

Other states: Four states: State 1: Pieter van den Keere, 1614; State 2: Claes Janz Visscher, 1631; State 3: Claes Janz Visscher, 1636; State 4: Nicholaas Visscher, 1657.

Price: 12,000

Primary Category: Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022

Rarity: R1 Extremely rare – occasionally seen on the market

References: Schilder and Welu, 28; nGünter Schilder, Monumenta cartographica Neerlandica, vol. 6 (Alphen aan den Rijn: Canaletto, 2000), 144, map 20.

Sheet size (cm): 47 x 57

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1614


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