Lot 231: Abraham Ortelius, Turcici Imperii Descriptio, Hand-Coloured Engraved Map of the Ottoman Empire, c. 1570-1612
A hand-coloured copperplate engraving on paper titled TVRCICI IMPERII DESCRIPTIO, attributed to Abraham Ortelius. This map was a foundational component of the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, widely recognised as the first modern atlas, originally published in Antwerp starting in 1570. The map depicts the Ottoman Empire at its height, covering Southeast Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula, with a portion of the Persian Empire shown to the right. The work features a large, ornate Renaissance-style title cartouche in the lower-left corner supported by figures, containing the Latin motto Concordia parvae res crescunt, Discordia maximae dilabuntur. A second text block to the right is inscribed REGNI PERSIAE PARS, QVOD HODIE A SOPHIS GUBERNATVR. The geography is detailed with numerous cities and regions labelled in Latin, and the seas are decorated with several contemporary sailing vessels. The map is presented in a gilt-finished frame with a dark green mount and is glazed. Two auction house stickers are visible on the bottom right of the glass, one orange numbered 231 and one white numbered 11 11.
Condition report:
The map shows evidence of original vertical and horizontal centre folds, which is typical for maps removed from an atlas. There is overall age-related toning to the paper. The hand-colouring remains well-preserved, though some minor fading is present. The item has not been examined out of the frame; therefore, the condition of the paper edges and the reverse, which may contain printed text, cannot be confirmed. The frame shows minor surface wear and the glass has visible reflections.
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