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A map of a small island chain off the west coast of the island of Gilolo (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia). The military forts and ships were used by the European colonial powers during conflicts over the area’s spice trade.

The cartouche on this early 18th century navigation map features the title in Latin and Dutch, as well as a wealth of detailed drawings illustrating the region’s trade: Asian merchants, their goods and animals, and two female European customers.

An early 18th century map of the Indian Ocean, illustrated with a drawing of Asian merchants riding an elephant and using a camel to transport their goods. Other men use bows and arrows to hunt ostriches. Ships are also shown sailing on the ocean.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche decorated with Asian merchants and their goods, including a censer (incense burner), jewels and fruits. They are surrounded by Asian animals, a man riding a camel, and two Japanese samurai.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche decorated with Asian merchants and their goods, including a censer (incense burner), jewels and fruits. They are surrounded by Asian animals, a man riding a camel, and two Japanese samurai.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche decorated with Asian merchants and their goods, including a censer (incense burner), jewels and fruits. They are surrounded by Asian animals, a man riding a camel, and two Japanese samurai.

This colourful map of Asia has an elaborate cartouche decorated with Asian merchants and their goods, including a censer (incense burner), jewels and fruits. They are surrounded by Asian animals, a man riding a camel, and two Japanese samurai.

French text on the reverse of this map describes the religion, languages, crops, trade etc. of Aracam and Pegu (Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Cambaja (Cambodia). The map is dedicated to the Dutch merchant Christophoro Thisio.

A map of Asia decorated with colourful illustrations including two men in ‘eastern’ clothing, the Greek goddess Athena with a coat of arms and a knight in armour, and cherubs playing with cartography tools: a globe, compass, and pair of callipers.

German text on the reverse of this map describes the populations, crops, trade etc. of Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines, and Banda Islands. There are drawings of sailing ships, and the map is dedicated to the Dutch merchant Christophoro Thisio.

This map is illustrated with drawings of Asian people wearing traditional clothing, including representatives of Sumatra, Java and the Maluku Islands. There are also drawings of important ports such as Bantam (Banten) at the western end of Java.

This small island chain off the west coast of Gilolo (Halmahera in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia), was an important area for the spice trade. Latin text on the reverse describes the trade/islands. North is located to the right, rather than the top.