Ptolemaic Antique Map of Taprobana, Sri Lanka

Antique map titled 'Tab XII Asiae Taprobanam'. Ptolemaic map of Taprobana (Sri Lanka). Ptolemy drew on the accounts of travelers and sailors and though the information was secondhand and often inaccurate it represented the most advanced account of the world's geography at that time. This map depicts the island with the typical misconceptions of Ptolemy with the island straddling the Equator and nearly divided by a ridge of mountains. A small part of India is incorrectly shown in the northeast corner of the map. The stipple engraved sea is filled with an oriental ship and two great sea monsters. Embellished with a strapwork title cartouche. This map originates from 'Claudii Ptolemaei, Tabulae Geographicae Orbis Terrarum Veteribus Cogniti' by G. Mercator.

Condition: Good. General age-related toning. Minor wear and soiling. Please study image carefully.

Date: c.1695

Overall size: 53.5 x 45 cm.