Search

This map of Southeast Asia features a rhumbline network, a web of lines used to aid navigation. Coastal areas are detailed while interiors are mainly blank, and there are illustrations of sailing ships, reinforcing the maritime focus of this map.

The cartouche on this mid-17th century map of Asia by the Dutch cartographer Frederik de Wit (c. 1629–1706) is decorated with drawings of Asian men dressed in traditional costume and carrying bows.

A mid-17th century map of Asia decorated with a border of drawings of Asian cities and Asian rulers, including the port of Bantam (Banten) at the western end of Java, and a portrait of ‘Rex Moluccae’ the ‘king’ of the Moluccas (Maluku Islands).

This mid-17th century map of Asia is missing most of the southern and eastern parts of Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines and most of modern Indonesia. Instead, there is a note stating that there are reported to be numerous islands in the area.

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.

Early 17th century map of Asia, with annotations in Latin naming the major countries, islands and cities. Maritime Southeast Asia is shown as an archipelago of many small islands.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

This early 17th century map by Jodocus Hondius features a number of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China—including ‘Cayamay Lacus’—and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

This map shows the route of the first Dutch expedition to Southeast Asia in 1595-7. Led by Cornelis de Houtman, it was an attempt to enter the spice trade. The route crosses east over the Indian Ocean, circles the island of Java, and returns west.

Adapted by Theodore de Bry from an original by Willem Lodewycksz, this map has some inaccuracies e.g. the Malay Peninsula (‘Chersonese’) is completely bisected by the Muar River, leaving the southern tip of the peninsula as a separate island.

An early map of the island of Borneo, depicting the natural landscape of mountains, forests, rivers and shoals, and also evidence of human habitation with houses representing settlements, and a port and shipping route along the northern coast.

Unusually, north is located to the left of this map of East Asia, rather than the top. The text notes that shallows and reefs are marked, and that the map is based on the explorations of Portuguese ships. Illustrations include sea monsters and ships.