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River Sanaga, West Africa – Elegant French Exploration Map, c.1750
$752.36
£562.17
€630
CA$1,037.76
A$1,136.84
CHF 598.39
MX$13,568.44
NOK 7,627.91
SEK 6,973.06
DKK 4,800.11
About the Item
Nubia and Abyssinia – Venetian Map of Northeast Africa, Zatta, 1784
This detailed late-18th-century map depicts Nubia and Abyssinia, covering large parts of present-day Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Horn of Africa. The map is titled “La Nubia ed Abissinia” and was published in Venice in 1784 by Antonio Zatta, one of the most important Italian map publishers of the period. It forms part of Zatta’s monumental Atlante Novissimo, produced with the privilege of the Venetian Senate.
The map presents the Nile basin in exceptional detail, tracing the river from its upper reaches through Nubia toward Egypt, while also mapping the Red Sea coast, inland mountain ranges, deserts, and regional kingdoms. Political and regional boundaries are outlined in contemporary hand color, distinguishing Nubia, Abyssinia, and neighboring territories. Numerous towns, tribal regions, rivers, and topographical features are carefully named, reflecting the synthesis of classical sources, Jesuit reports, and more recent travel accounts available to European geographers in the late Enlightenment period.
Zatta’s cartography represents the Italian continuation of the scientific mapping tradition pioneered by Delisle and d’Anville, emphasizing clarity, proportional accuracy, and critical compilation of sources. While interior Africa remained imperfectly known, this map shows a marked departure from earlier speculative geography, replacing legend with measured structure and comparative reasoning.
The decorative title cartouche, engraved in a restrained architectural style, anchors the upper right and reflects the sober elegance characteristic of Venetian Enlightenment cartography. Latitude and longitude lines, clean engraving, and balanced composition give the map strong visual presence without excess ornamentation.
This map is particularly appealing to collectors of African cartography, Nile exploration history, Ethiopian history, and Enlightenment-era geography. It also serves as an excellent intellectual counterpart to earlier French coastal and regional charts of Africa, illustrating the progression of European geographic knowledge during the 18th century.
Condition report
Good condition overall. Central vertical fold as issued. Light age toning and some mild discoloration, more noticeable along the fold. Minor scattered spots and faint handling marks. Original outline hand color. Plate mark visible. Margins intact.
Framing tips
A wide off-white or light sand-colored mat is recommended to balance the dense interior detail and preserve visual calm. A medium to dark wood frame enhances the engraved line work and complements the restrained hand coloring. Particularly effective as a scholarly centerpiece or paired with Indian Ocean or Nile-related maps.
Technique: Copper engraving with contemporary outline hand color
Maker: Antonio Zatta, Venice, 1784
Keywords: Nubia map, Abyssinia map, Ethiopia antique map, Northeast Africa cartography, Nile map, Blue Nile, White Nile, Red Sea map, Horn of Africa, Ethiopian Highlands, Kingdom of Nubia, Kingdom of Abyssinia, Gondar, Axum, Aksum, Sennar, Dongola, Suakin, Massawa, Zeila, Bab el Mandeb, Red Sea trade routes, Mecca, Mekka, Meca, Arabian Peninsula, African exploration map, 18th century map Africa, Venetian map, Antonio Zatta, Atlante Novissimo, Enlightenment cartography, antique engraved map
- Dimensions:Height: 13.67 in (34.7 cm)Width: 17.21 in (43.7 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1750-1759
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1750
- Condition:Good condition overall. Central vertical fold as issued. Light age toning and some mild discoloration, more noticeable along the fold. Minor scattered spots and faint handling marks. Original outline hand color. Plate mark visible. Margins intact.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-14128-61stDibs: LU3054348017042
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