About this sheet
Fort Nassau at Banda, bird’s-eye view engraving by Van der Schley, c. 1735–1747
This finely detailed 18th-century engraving presents a bird’s-eye view of Fort Nassau on Banda Neira, one of the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (present-day Indonesia). The engraving was executed by Jacob van der Schley and published by Pieter de Hondt between 1735 and 1747. It appeared in the influential French travel publication Histoire Générale des Voyages by L’abbé Antoine François Prévost d’Exiles, a key work documenting global exploration and colonial enterprise.
The Banda Islands, known as the Spice Islands, were the world’s only source of nutmeg and mace in the 17th century, making them a focal point of fierce colonial competition. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established Fort Nassau in 1609 as its first stronghold on Banda Neira. Together with the nearby Fort Belgica, it formed a defensive and administrative hub for controlling the spice trade.
This engraving offers a stylized yet informative overhead perspective of the fort’s interior and ramparts. The square layout is reinforced by four angular bastions at the corners, with heavy palisades and artillery placements. Within the walls, rows of buildings, storage houses, residences, palm trees, and open courtyards are carefully rendered, showing both the defensive and functional aspects of the fort. The symmetry and spatial clarity are typical of Van der Schley’s architectural illustrations, produced in the service of European curiosity about far-flung Dutch colonies.
The French title at the top reads *Fort Hollandois de l'Ile de Banda* and the Dutch caption below as *Hollands Fort op ‘t Eiland Banda*, attesting to the international readership of the publication.
This print is of great interest to collectors of VOC history, Southeast Asian colonial maps, and early architectural engravings. It serves not only as a visual record of Dutch military infrastructure but also as a reflection of the intense global competition for spices during the colonial era.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Clean impression on laid paper. Minor age toning and one vertical fold as issued. No tears or stains. Wide margins and crisp plate lines. A fine example of 18th-century colonial cartography and engraving.
Framing tips:
Frame with dark teak or black wood to complement the historic tone. Use a cream or parchment-colored archival mat. Museum-grade UV glass is recommended to preserve detail and prevent fading over time.
