Bilder Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772) – Map of Southern Asia - the Maldive Islands / Carte des Isles Maldives – Map (1750)

Beskrivning

This detailed nautical chart depicts the entire archipelago of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, extending from the Laccadive Islands (Les Laquedives) in the north to the Souadou atolls in the south. The map accurately charts the long chain of atolls, labeling individual island groups such as Malé Atoll (Atoll de Malé) and the royal island (Isle du Roy). Navigational lines (rhumb lines) radiate from a central compass rose, reflecting the chart's primary use for European maritime traffic navigating the critical trade routes of the Indian Ocean.

Jacques-Nicolas Bellin was the leading French cartographer of the 18th century. He served as the official Hydrographer to the French Navy and was responsible for a monumental body of work known for its technical precision and systematic approach. This map is  a plate created by Bellin for the massive travel encyclopedia, Histoire Générale des Voyages (General History of Travels), authored by Abbé Antoine François Prévost and published in Paris and The Hague from 1746 onward, cementing Bellin's influence on global cartography.

Artist or Maker: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin

Dimensions:  Approximately 26 cm × 19 cm

Medium: Engraving

Date: 1750

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.