16th Century Wall Decorations

Antique map titled 'Embdena (..)'. Old, antique bird's-eye view plan of Emden, Germany. This bird's-eye view from the southwest over the Dollart shows Emden, which developed from a trading settlement in the 7th/8th centuries into a city as late as late 14th century. In 1494 it was granted staple rights, and in 1536 the harbour was extended. In the mid-16th century Emden's port was thought to have the most ships in Europe. Its population then was about 5,000, rising to 15,000 by the end of the 16th century. The Ems flowed directly under the city walls, but its course was changed in the 17th century by the construction of a canal. Emden has canals within its city limits, a typical feature of Dutch towns, which also enabled the extension of the harbour. Emden's first herring company was founded in 1553, and in 1595 Emden was created a Free Imperial City under the protection of Holland. Published by Braun...

This is a wonderful bird's-eye plan/view of the oldest city in Sweden. Visby, the largest city on the island of Gotland was an important Viking city and the main centre of the Hanseatic League...

Antique print titled ''Ernestus Ferreus Arch'. **Ernest the Iron (1377-1424)** Background: Ernest the Iron, also known as Ernst der Eiserne, was a member of the House of Habsburg....

Antique map titled 'Insularum Aliquot Maris Mediterranei Descriptio'. A very attractive example of Ortelius' map combining, on one page, maps of the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corfu, Elba, Malta and Zerbi (Jerba, off the coast of Tunisia.) The maps detail fortifications on the islands and other major features. (Jerba, for instance, is shown connected to the mainland by a causeway.) The waters are attractively engraved and are sailed by ships. A shipwreck, north of Malta, indicates the point at which St. Paul is thought to have shipwrecked. Volcanoes are indicated in the Sicily map...

Antique print titled 'Egrana civitas olim de imperio Romanorum (..)'. Important early view of the walled town of Eger, or Cheb, in the Czech Republic, including the city's coat of ar...

A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...

Large Ming dynasty period painting, China 1365-1644. Oil or tempera painted on thin canvas (or silk), mounted on wood. The painting displays a vase of...

Ecce Homo by Frans Franken the Younger (Antwerp, 1581-1642) Flemish, late 16th-early 17th century oil on copper Measures: H 7 in; W 8 in Ecce Homo, "behold the man," are the Latin words used by Pontius Pilate...

Monumental 16th century painting depicting the scene of the Visitation of Mary. Anonymous painter of the Lombard school. Coeval copy after Federico Bar...

The Flemish “Game Park” Tapestry – 16th Century is an extraordinary woven artwork depicting an elaborate hunting scene set against a lush forest backdrop. Hand-loomed in wool and sil...

The 'Battle for the Kauwenstein Dijk', engraved and titled Pugna in Aggerere Covenstio Anno 1585, depicts a significant battle during the Siege of Antwerp on 26 May 1585. The engraving illustrates the fierce combat around the Kauwenstein embankment, where the Spanish forces under the Duke of Parma attempted to cut off supplies to the city of Antwerp, leading to intense fighting. The scene vividly portrays soldiers engaged in close combat, naval forces in the background, and smoke rising from the battlefield as cannon fire and musket shots fill the air. The embankment, partially breached, is a focal point, showing the chaotic nature of the battle as forces from both sides converge. At the top, the title is inscribed in Latin, and a detailed legend (A-O) at the bottom provides further explanations about various parts of the battle, referencing key locations, troops, and actions. The detailed precision of the engraving reflects the high level of craftsmanship typical of 16th-century military engravings...

Title: Portrait of Abraham Ortelius Engraved by Philippe Galle, first published in 1579, featured in the *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum*. Description: This is a meticulously detailed portrait of Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598), the renowned Flemish cartographer, geographer, and creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This copperplate engraving, crafted by the master engraver Philippe Galle (1537–1612), was first published in the 1579 edition of Ortelius’s groundbreaking work. The image presents a bust-length profile of Ortelius facing to the left, emphasizing his austere yet intellectual presence. He is depicted wearing formal attire typical of the late Renaissance period, including a richly textured doublet with a fur-lined collar and a finely detailed ruff around his neck. His aged, yet determined face, with a pointed beard and furrowed brow, symbolizes his deep dedication to the study of geography and cartography. Surrounding the portrait is an elaborate architectural and floral frame, characteristic of late 16th-century Mannerist designs, which conveys a sense of both intellectual grandeur and artistic sophistication. At the top of the frame is a "Chi Rho" symbol, representing Christ, and emphasizing the religious underpinnings of Ortelius's worldview. The Latin inscription below the portrait reads: "Spectandum dedit Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium" ("Ortelius gave the world to be seen by mortals, Galleus gave Ortelius to be seen by the world.") This suggests the lasting legacy of Ortelius’s work in mapping the known world and how Galle, through his engraving, immortalized Ortelius himself. About the Engraver: Philippe Galle (1537–1612) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher, known for his precision and technical skill in copperplate engraving. Galle often worked with leading figures of his time, producing prints that highlighted important cultural, intellectual, and political figures. His engraving technique involved etching intricate lines and textures onto a copperplate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper to produce highly detailed prints. His collaboration with Ortelius on this project further solidified his reputation as a master engraver. Why Ortelius was Important: Abraham Ortelius is celebrated as one of the founders of modern cartography. His atlas, *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum* (Theatre of the World), published in 1570, was the first to gather a comprehensive collection of maps into a single, standardized volume. This work marked a turning point in the history of geography by establishing a modern understanding of world mapping. Ortelius also significantly contributed to geographic knowledge by incorporating information from various cartographers, which helped to unify mapmaking practices across Europe. Ortelius's work not only aided navigators and explorers but also influenced scholars and rulers in their understanding of the world. His reputation extended well beyond his home in Antwerp, making him one of the most respected intellectuals of his time. Keywords: Abraham Ortelius portrait, Philippe Galle engraving, 1579 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Renaissance cartography, Ortelius atlas, historical cartographer portrait, copperplate engraving, Mannerist engravings...

Antique map titled 'Westfalia cum dioecelsi Bremensi'. Original antique map of Germany. Published by Mercator/Hondius, circa '1620' 17th Century antique detailled map of Westphali...

An elegant and historically significant oil-on-canvas portrait attributed to Otto van Veen (1556–1629), the renowned Flemish painter and mentor to Peter Paul Rubens. Entitled “Portra...

Very nice and old french tapestry fragment, from the middle of the 16th century, with nice design of its period design and beautiful natural colo...

This is an original engraved print from 1585, depicting the construction plans for the ship bridge built by the Duke of Parma during the Siege of Antwerp in the Eighty Years' War. ...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Asiae XI'. Based on the interpretations of Solinus and Munster, this Ptolemaic map covers the region roughly of Thailand and Malaysia. An oddly shaped (Mal...

"Rare 1582 Copper Engraving of Hanseatic House, Antwerp by Guicciardini" This copper engraving, published in 1582 by Christoph Plantin in Antwerp, presents the impressive Hanseatic ...

A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...

This print depicts the Antwerp warship Fin de la guerre, a massive vessel constructed during the Siege of Antwerp (1584-1585). It is a copperplate-engraved oblique profile of the D...

Antique map titled 'Aegypti recentior descriptio - Carthaginis Celeberrimi sinus typus'. Two detailed regional maps by Ortelius. One map shows the region around the Nile, as far as A...

Antique print titled 'Huum Opp. Condrusorum Caput (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Huy in present day Belgium. The view shows the city from the northeast. Huy, a municipality of ...

Antique print titled 'Lympurch - Limburgum Oppidum (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Limbourg in present day Belgium. Limbourg (or Limburg) is a city and municipality of Wallonia ...

Antique print titled 'Abbildung der Statt Rom/wie sie von Romulo anfänge - Von Italia'. Woodcut of ancient Rome. This print originates from Munster's Cosmographia, one of the most in...

Pair of antique 16th-century tiles, made using the cuerda seca technique and framed in iron. These framed antique tiles are decorated with an organic relief design in shades of green...

Antique print Hungary titled 'Contrafehtung der Festung Tokay'. Birds eye view of the fortress Julaof Tokay, Hungary, surrounded with Turkish troops. Originates from a German edi...

Antique 16th-century tile panel of six, made using the cuerda seca technique and framed in iron. The panel comprises six antique tiles decorated with floral motifs in shades of green...

Antique map titled 'Dordrecht'. Map of the city of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Bird's-eye plan view of the city, with many ships and two coats of arms in upper corners. This map ...

Important - 16th century - grand scale - museum quality - Renaissance period - antique Flemish finely woven grotesque tapestry panel in wool and silk - after designs by PERINO DEL VA...

Beautiful and rare antique map of Greece with Albania, Mecedonia, Romania, Dalmatia and the peninsula of Salento to the Golf of Taranto. Also clearly shown the islands of the Aegaian...

Antique map titled 'Partie de Danemarc'. Map of the island of Zealand, Denmark, including the city of Copenhagen. This map originates from 'Cosmographie Universelle' by André Thevet.

Antique map titled 'La Paincture de la cité de Colmar & du pais circonuoisin'. Original antique bird's-eye view of Colmar, Alsace, France. This map originates from 'La Cosmograph...

Antonio de Leyva, Duke of Terranova, Prince of Ascoli (1480–1536) was a Spanish general during the Italian Wars. During the Italian War of 1521, he commanded Pavia during the siege o...

A rare engraving titled “IN ADAM OMNES MORIUNTUR” (All die in Adam) by Johann Sadeler after a work by Maerten de Vos, depicting Adam taking the forbidden fruit from Eve. Signed and...

Antique map titled 'Artesia'. Original antique map of the Artois region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

Antique print titled 'Wie die Burger von Amstelredam der Staten volck Wider auß der Statt treiben'. Original antique print showing the troops of William of Orange battling with the c...

Antique map titled 'Liberae et Hanseaticae urbis Daventriensis delineatio'. Original bird's eye plan of the Dutch hanseatic city Deventer, on the situated IJssel river. This map ...

Beautiful map in excellent condition. This map depicts the city of Douai (France) and originates from 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum'.

Antique map titled 'Gelriae, Cliviae, Finitimorumque Locorum Verissima Descriptio Christiano Schrot. Auctore'. This superb map is Ortelius' first plate covering Gelderland. It is b...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Orientalis'. Beautiful map of east Frisian islands and the northwestern tip of Germany, Ostfriesland. With people in local costumes. Ornamented inset of the Eems estuary. Based on a manuscript map...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Occidentalis'. Old map of the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. This map is also known as the 'Pauwenkaart' ('peacock map'), referring to the peacock next to the inset map. Based on a manuscript map...

Original Antique map of Asia, India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Maldives by Rosaccio / Ruscelli in attractive coloring. Title: Calecut Nuova Tavola Year: 1599 Relief shown pictorially. ...

Antique print titled 'Franeker'. Extremely rare view on the city of Franeker, Friesland, the Netherlands. Published circa 1598 by P. Bast. Artists and Engravers: Pieter Bast (ca 1...

Antique map titled 'Picardiae Belgicae regionis descriptio'. Original antique map of the Picardy region, France. Published by A. Ortelius, circa 1590.

Antique print titled 'Groeninga'. View of the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. This map originates from 'Cosmographia' published by Münster. Artists and Engravers: Sebastian Münster...

Three antique maps on one sheet titled 'Natoliae quae olim Asia Minor [with] Aegypti recentior descriptio [with] Carthaginis Celeberrimisinus Typus'. The first map covers Asia Minor,...

Antique map titled 'Die Statt Rufach mit sampt dem Schloss Isenburg (..)'. Original antique bird's-eye view plan of Rouffach, France, with Chateau d'Isenbourg. This map originate...

Antique print titled 'Basiliensis territorii descriptio nova'. Old map of the Basel region, Switzerland. Originates from 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' by A. Ortelius. Artists and...

Antique map titled 'Oost end West Vrieslandts beschrijvinghe. Utriusque Frisiorum Regionis Noviss: Descriptio. 1568.' Detailed map of Friesland, the Netherlands. Includes a larger co...

Antique map titled ‘Bolzvardia vetus in Frisia Foederis (..)’. Old map of the city of Bolsward, Friesland. Originally part of a sheet together with the cities of Stavoren, Harlingen ...

Daniae Regni & Oldenburg – Antique Maps of Denmark and Saxony by Ortelius, 1584 This elegant antique map sheet features two detailed regional maps side by side: Daniae Regni Typus (...

Roman Courtesan – Antique Hand-Coloured Woodcut by Jost Amman, Plate CXLI, 1577 This rare 16th-century hand-coloured woodcut portrays a courtesan of Rome, titled Curtisana Sive Mere...

Roman Woman – Antique Hand-Coloured Woodcut by Jost Amman, Plate CXLII, 1577 This rare early hand-coloured woodcut depicts a Roman woman in stately attire, titled in Latin Romana Fo...

A rare and fascinating group of three drawings, beautifully presented together in modern frames with UV-protective glass and surrounded by high-quality black pasteboard mounts. This ...

Antique map titled 'Beschreibung des Königreichs Dennmarck (..)'. Early map of Denmark. This map originates from 'Cosmographey Oder beschreibung Aller Länder (..)' by Sebastian Münster.

A very rare mid-16th century black and white map of North and West Africa called Mauritania by the Italian cartographic editor Girolamo Ruscelli. T...

A beautifully produced book by Franco Maria Ricci, one of a limited edition of 3,000 numbered copies, this being 388. 175 pages with tipped in color plates with additional drawings and sketches, the text is in English. Arcimboldo has become best known for his portraits of human heads made up from vegetables, plants, fruits, sea creatures and tree roots, which were greatly admired by his contemporaries and remain of great fascination to this day. each was carefully constructed and as can be seen with the main image, the Librarian...

“Portrait of the Duke of Burgundy? , F. de TROY ? French school, late 17th century.” Oil on canvas depicting the presumed portrait of the Duke of Burgundy as a child. Attributed to...

16th century Spanish Valencian Manises lusterware plate combining ceramics with metallic glaze. It has been repaired with iron grapples.

Three fine rare examples of “tent stitch” panels, made with colored silks and some metallic threads, from a group of thirteen panels and fragments of English or Scottish origin, most...