Price: £6,800.00

• Date: c.1658
• Condition: AA.
• Colour: Original.
• Size: 47 x 56 cms.

Title: 'Orbis Terrarum Nova et Accuratisima Tabula'.

Nicolaas Vischer's double-hemisphere antique world map can be regarded as the blueprint for a number of decorative Dutch maps. The decorations, by Nicolas Berchem, depict the four elements ; Fire - the rape of Persephone, Air - Zeus drawn across the sky in a chariot, Water - Poseidon, Earth - Demeter. The decorations are richly painted whilst each Continent is identified by a separate colour. California is still depicted as an island, whilst Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand are beginning to take shape. Bookworms made a meal in the lower left and lower right hand corners and munched their way just 1mm into the engraving. This slight damage has been expertly repaired as well as have a few minor tears in the margins which are well away from the plate mark. An exquisite work of art.
References: Amsterdam, Jansson's Novus Atlas (Koeman, Me 66, Shirley 406)