Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1830
Mapmaker / artist
British School, circa 1830
Technique
Steel engraving
Sheet size
25.7 × 32.7 cm (10.1 × 12.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14279-40
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Good overall condition with age-related toning and light creasing consistent with age. The engraving remains crisp and well-defined. Some minor wear to the margins and faint handling marks visible.
About this sheet
A finely engraved map capturing the heart of the Ottoman Empire at a pivotal moment before the modern borders of the Middle East were formed, spanning Anatolia, Syria, Mesopotamia, and the eastern Mediterranean. This composition offers a rare window into a pre-industrial geopolitical landscape, where ancient regions and early modern territories coexist across a vast and historically charged geography.
Extending from Constantinople and the Black Sea across Asia Minor to the fertile lands of the Tigris and Euphrates, the map traces the interconnected worlds of Turkey, Armenia, Syria, and Iraq with remarkable clarity. The clean, precise engraving reflects the scientific cartographic style of the early 19th century, prioritizing legibility and accuracy while still retaining an understated elegance that works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary interiors.
This map is particularly appealing for its breadth: Cyprus, the Levantine coast, the deserts of Arabia, and the fringes of Persia are all included within a single balanced composition. It speaks not only to collectors of antique maps, but also to those interested in the historical foundations of today’s Middle East, offering context to regions that remain central in global history and culture.
This is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. The map is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale.
Framing tips: This map benefits from a refined presentation. A dark walnut or black frame with a generous off-white mat will elevate the fine engraving and create a strong visual presence. For a more contemporary look, a thin bronze or black frame with a clean museum mount works particularly well.
