1726 Map of Bengal by Van der Aa after Valentijn – Dutch East Indies
€ 770
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1726
Sheet size
51 × 60.5 cm (20.1 × 23.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13424-21
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 condition. Strong impression with later hand coloring. Light age toning, faint foxing mainly in margins, and some creasing along original fold lines as issued. Fully suitable for framing.
About this sheet
1726 Map of Bengal by Van der Aa after Valentijn – Dutch East Indies
This is an original antique map titled “Nieuwe Kaart van ’t Koninryk van Bengale,” published by Pieter van der Aa in Leiden in 1726. The map depicts the Kingdom of Bengal and surrounding regions, based on earlier work by François Valentijn, a Dutch East India Company (VOC) official and historian whose extensive writings on Asia were among the most important early European sources.
The engraving covers the Bengal region (modern-day Bangladesh and West Bengal, India), showing detailed river systems including the Ganges and its distributaries flowing into the Gulf of Bengal. Major towns, cities, and kingdoms are labeled in Dutch, such as Orixa (Orissa), Arracan, Tipera (Tripura), and Cos Assam (Assam). Mountain ranges are represented pictorially with stylised hachured peaks, while fertile plains are indicated with field patterns, adding visual texture to the map.
In the upper right is an elegant title cartouche with dedication to VOC officials, referencing Mathijs van den Broecke, a director in Bengal, and Johannes Lennep. A compass rose is positioned at the bottom, enhancing its decorative maritime appeal, with north oriented to the right as typical for Dutch maps of Asian regions in this period.
Pieter van der Aa (1659–1733) was a prolific publisher known for compiling maps from earlier explorers and engravers into elegant and collectible volumes. His works remain valued for their historical significance, decorative artistry, and connection to VOC trade networks and colonial history.
Good condition. Strong impression with later hand coloring. Light age toning, faint foxing mainly in margins, and some creasing along original fold lines as issued. Fully suitable for framing.
Framing tips: Frame this map in a slim gilt or dark wood frame to highlight its decorative hand coloring. Use an off-white archival mat to accentuate the engraving and protect the edges. UV-protective glazing is recommended to maintain color vibrancy and paper integrity.
