South-East Europe · 19th century
€ 380
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good with original hand color. Light age toning and minor wear consistent with age. One brownish spot near Samos island. Margins well preserved. Plate mark visible.
Classical World Map Greece Asia Minor & Levant, Wilkinson Atlas 1817
This finely engraved and delicately hand-colored map of the ancient Greek world and surrounding regions was published in London in 1817 by Robert Wilkinson as part of his celebrated Atlas Classica. Designed as a scholarly companion to classical literature, the atlas sought to visualize the geography described by ancient historians such as Herodotus, Strabo, Xenophon, and Ptolemy, reflecting the renewed European fascination with antiquity during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
The map presents a richly detailed view of the eastern Mediterranean and Near East, encompassing Greece, Macedonia, Thrace, Asia Minor (Anatolia), Cyprus, Crete, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and parts of Arabia. Classical regional divisions such as Cappadocia, Galatia, Cilicia, Armenia, Assyria, and Babylonia are clearly delineated and enhanced with soft original hand coloring, offering both clarity and visual appeal. The Black Sea (Pontus Euxinus) and the Mediterranean are elegantly rendered, while a fine network of rivers, mountain ranges, and ancient cities provides insight into the geographical understanding of the classical world.
Engraved by E. Bourne, the map demonstrates the precision and refinement characteristic of early 19th-century British copperplate engraving. The balanced composition, subtle pastel palette, and crisp lettering make this sheet not only an important historical reference but also a highly decorative piece suitable for both traditional and contemporary interiors. It pairs beautifully with other classical maps or stands alone as a refined statement for collectors of antiquity and cartography.
A compelling piece for collectors of classical history, early atlases, or decorative antique maps, this work bridges scholarship and artistry, embodying the intellectual spirit of its time.
Condition: Very good with original hand color. Light age toning and minor wear consistent with age. One spot near Samos island. Margins well preserved. Plate mark visible.
Framing tips: Particularly effective in a dark walnut or ebonized frame with a generous ivory or warm off-white mat. Works beautifully in a study, library, or refined interior with soft, directional lighting.
This is an original 19th-century engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The map is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only.
Keywords: Ancient Greece map, Classical world map, Graecorum map, Atlas Classica, Robert Wilkinson map, 1817 antique map, Asia Minor map, Anatolia map, Levant map, Mesopotamia map, Cyprus Crete map, Pontus Euxinus, Mediterranean map, classical geography, Herodotus Strabo Ptolemy, ancient history map, British atlas engraving, copperplate engraving, hand colored map, decorative antique map, scholarly atlas, neoclassical decor, early 19th century map, London published map, antique cartography, collectors map, interior wall art, historical map, Greek antiquity, ancient civilizations map, rare atlas sheet, museum quality map
Technique: Copperplate engraving with original hand color
Maker: Robert Wilkinson, London, 1817 (engraved by E. Bourne)
