Antique Roman Empire Map – Western Mediterranean & Europe, Engraving c.1818

€ 1 200

Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)

Date: 1818
Mapmaker / artist: Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (after), published by Laurie & Whittle, London, circa 1818
Technique: Engraving with original outline color
Sheet size: 72.5 × 54.5 cm (28.5 × 21.5 in)
Condition: Good
Reference: BG-14227-4-2

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 antique condition with light, even toning and gentle age-related wear. Original outline color remains clear. Central fold as issued. No major tears, losses, or repairs, but tight on the margins.

About this sheet

Antique Roman Empire Map – Western Mediterranean & Europe, Engraving c.1818

Elegant antique map depicting the western portion of the Roman Empire, covering Britain, Gaul, Hispania, Italy, North Africa, and parts of Central Europe. The composition balances visual calm with remarkable geographic density, presenting ancient cities, provinces, rivers, and coastlines rendered in refined engraved line and subtle original outline color.

The map is offered unframed, enabling custom framing to personal or interior preferences.

The map is based on the work of Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (1697–1782), whose reconstructions of the ancient world defined classical cartography for generations. Unlike earlier decorative maps, d’Anville’s approach emphasized accuracy, proportion, and clarity, resulting in sheets that feel both scholarly and strikingly modern in their restraint.

This example is the English edition published in London by Laurie & Whittle circa 1818, issued as part of the atlas A Complete Body of Ancient Geography. Produced during the height of neoclassical taste, the map reflects early nineteenth-century design sensibilities that align naturally with contemporary interiors.

Finely engraved and quietly colored, the sheet offers a neutral, parchment-toned palette that integrates effortlessly into refined spaces. Its scale and visual rhythm make it particularly effective as statement wall art in libraries, studies, hallways, and hospitality interiors. When paired with the matching Eastern Roman Empire map, the two sheets create a balanced, museum-style presentation of the ancient world.

A timeless and highly decorative work of historical cartography, combining intellectual depth with strong interior presence.

Condition report:
Good antique condition with light, even toning and gentle age-related wear. Original outline color remains clear. Central fold as issued. No major tears, losses, or repairs, but tight on the margins.

Framing tips:
Pairs beautifully with a dark walnut, blackened oak, or ebonized frame and a wide ivory or soft parchment mat. Museum or UV glass recommended. Especially striking when framed as a symmetrical pair with the Eastern Roman Empire sheet. We sell this map unframed.