Antique Map of Northern Asia by Mallet (1719)

Description: Antique map titled 'Das Mitternächtige Theil des Alten Asien'. This sheet of five miniature maps describes the northern part of Asia in classical times, perhaps circa 150 AD. At the top, an overview map shows the main regions and territories, which are pictured in more detail below. From left to right, the four maps below depict Scythia east of the Imaus (Pamir) Mountains, Serica, Sychia west of the Pamir mountains, and Sarmatia, the last of which borders the Black Sea. Originates from Alain Manesson Mallet's 'Description de l 'Univers' (German edition).

Artists and Engravers: Alain Manesson Mallet (1630–1706) was a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV, became a Sergeant-Major in the artillery and an Inspector of Fortifications. He also served under the King of Portugal, before returning to France, and his appointment to the court of Louis XIV. His military engineering and mathematical background led to his position teaching mathematics at court. His major publications were Description de L'Univers (1683) in 5 volumes, and Les Travaux de Mars ou l'Art de la Guerre (1684) in 3 volumes.

His Description de L'Universe contains a wide variety of information, including star maps, maps of the ancient and modern world, and a synopsis of the customs, religion and government of the many nations included in his text. It has been suggested that his background as a teacher led to his being concerned with entertaining his readers. This concern manifested itself in the charming harbor scenes and rural landscapes that he included beneath his description of astronomical concepts and diagrams. Mallet himself drew most of the figures that were engraved for this book.