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Map of a small island chain off the west coast of Gilolo (modern Halmahera in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia). Italian text describes the larger islands (Ternate and Tidore) and the Philippines. From Vicenzo Coronelli's ‘Corso Geografico Universale’.

South is orientated towards the top of this map, with maritime Southeast Asia in the upper half and the mainland below. Top right is Java (‘Iava Magiore [Java Major]’); Borneo is labelled ‘Iava Menore [Java Minor]’. Ships and sea monsters are at sea.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, Bernardo Silvani’s woodcut map is innovative in its use of two colours: a black background with important text added in red. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Aurea Chersonesus [Golden Chersonese]’.