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Produced by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson (1600–1667) in the mid-17th century, this map of Asia features hand-coloured regional borders. Its cartouche features decorative scrollwork, fabric and tassels.

A mid-17th century map of Asia, showing mainland Southeast Asia divided into regions such as Cochinchine, Chiampa and Tunquin (Vietnam), Sian (Thailand), Pegu, Martaban and Arracan (Myanmar), and Camboge (Cambodia).

Four long rivers flow south through mainland Southeast Asia on this map: the ‘Menan’, ‘Manthabam’ and ‘Cosmin’ originate at a mythical lake (‘Chiamai Lac’) in southern China, while the ‘Mecon’ (Mekong) flows from the hills of Cochinchina (Vietnam).

French text on the right of this map notes that the ‘Molucques’—an important region for the spice trade—were near the island of Gilolo (modern Halmahera) and names them as Ternate, Tindor (Tidore), Mutir (Moti), Machiam (Makian) and Bachian (Bacan).

The southern coast of Java ('Iava Maior') on this map is represented by a dotted line, indicating that the exact coastline was unknown at this time. French text on the reverse describes the geography, crops, animals etc. of the Maluku Islands.

The north coast of New Guinea is mapped here as it was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten. He is named on the map as Guillaume Schouten de Hoorn, known as the first to sail from Europe to the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn.

This map shows the route of the Dutch explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten, crossing the Pacific Ocean from South America to New Guinea. He was the first explorer to sail from Europe to the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn.

The north coast of New Guinea is mapped here as it was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Corneliszoon Schouten. He is named on the map as Guillaume Schouten de Hoorn, known as the first to sail from Europe to the Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn.

Unusually, north is located to the right of this early 17th century map of the Maluku Islands, rather than the top. The scale is shown on a stone monument. French text on the reverse describes Java.

French text on the back of this map of mainland Southeast Asia describes the kingdom of Pegu (Myanmar), its royal palace, ports and trade with Sumatra and Malacca (rice, butter, oil, salt, onions, silver, porcelain, quicksilver, copper, pewter etc.).

This early 17th century map features Gilolo (Halmahera) and Seram, as well as Celebes (Sulawesi). French text on the reverse describes the ‘Isles Molucques’ (Maluku Islands), including trade in nutmeg, mace, aloe, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and cloves.

This late 16th century map by Abraham Ortelius features a network of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in China, and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.