About this sheet
Antique Map of Asia Minor & the Levant – Anatolia, Syria & Cyprus, c.1818
Elegant antique map depicting Asia Minor and the Eastern Mediterranean, covering Anatolia (modern Turkey), the Aegean coast, Syria, Mesopotamia, Armenia, and Cyprus. The map presents the region as understood in classical antiquity, with Roman and Greek cities, provinces, rivers, and coastlines engraved in fine detail and enhanced with subtle original outline color.
The composition has a strong horizontal sweep, with the Black Sea (Pontus Euxinus) to the north and the Mediterranean (Mare Internum) to the south, creating a balanced and architectural visual rhythm. Classical Latin place names and ancient regional divisions lend scholarly depth, while the restrained engraving and calm parchment tone give the sheet a refined, contemporary presence ideal for interior display.
The map is based on the work of Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville, whose reconstructions of the ancient world defined Enlightenment historical cartography. D’Anville rejected decorative speculation and relied instead on critical comparison of classical texts, itineraries, and geographic evidence, producing maps prized for accuracy, clarity, and proportion.
This example is the English edition published in London by Laurie & Whittle, issued circa 1818 and bound in the atlas A Complete Body of Ancient Geography. Produced during the neoclassical period, the map reflects early nineteenth-century taste for order, balance, and historical authority.
The neutral palette, crisp engraving, and wide margins make this map particularly effective as wall art in libraries, studies, hallways, and hospitality interiors. It pairs beautifully with companion sheets of Ancient Greece, the Roman East, and the Ancient World from the same series.
A timeless and highly decorative representation of the classical Eastern Mediterranean, 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 and balanced. Central fold as issued. No major tears, losses, or repairs observed.
Framing tips:
Best presented in a dark walnut, blackened oak, or ebonized frame with a wide ivory or soft parchment mat. Museum or UV glass recommended. Particularly effective when hung horizontally or paired with other classical maps from the series.
Technique: Engraving with original outline color
Maker: Jean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville (after), published by Laurie & Whittle, London, circa 1818
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