Exceptionally rare Sanson map of ancient Egypt, published by Covens & Mortier

Description

This beautiful and unusually rare map of ancient Egypt was created by Nicolas Sanson and published by Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier c. 1730 in Amsterdam. It depicts the country by nome – the territorial division or administrative district characteristic of ancient Egypt.

The map is rather detailed, with many topographical features and placenames throughout. Relief is rendered pictorially. Major settlements are symbolised through stylised buildings, and pyramids are rendered correspondingly.

A striking title cartouche decorates the bottom left corner of the map. Perhaps linking to the importance of the River Nile and the country’s access to the Mediterranean and Red seas, the cartouche appears to be depicting to the bottom left Thalassa, the Greek goddess of the sea, with a Potamoi, one of the Greek gods of rivers and streams, appearing to the right. The top of the cartouche features strapwork and two lions, with further strapwork and floral elements along the sides.

The map shows parallels and meridians and includes a simple compass rose. At upper right, there is a distance scale, shown in “geometric paces”, with one such equalling about 1.5 m or 5 feet.

Prior to Covens & Mortier, the map was published by Cornelis’ father, Pieter Mortier the Elder, in 1705.

A very scarce and decorative map of the “the land of the Pharaohs”.

Publication

Atlas nouveau, contenant toutes les parties du monde, ou sont exactement remarquées les empires, monarchies, royaumes, etats, republiques &c. [?] [1730?]

Condition

Very good.

Printed on watermarked paper, on a sheet issued folding. Wide margins. Beautiful old colour to map, with possibly later colouring to cartouche. Light toning, spotting, and staining throughout, mostly in margins and stronger towards edges.

Item #: 02500

US $480.00

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