Solor Island View, Indonesian Harbor Engraving, French Voyage Plate c.1700
€ 210
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1700
Mapmaker / artist
French school, from a voyage or geographic publication, late 17th–early 18th century
Technique
Copper engraving
Sheet size
15 × 21 cm (5.9 × 8.3 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
PCT-56689
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
Early engraving on paper. Overall age toning and surface wear. Light staining and handling marks visible. Margins uneven with minor edge wear. Image remains clear and legible. Condition reflected in price.
About this sheet
Solor Island View, Indonesian Harbor Engraving, French Voyage Plate c.1700 This engraved view depicts the island of Solor in present-day eastern Indonesia, shown as a sheltered harbor with European sailing vessels anchored offshore and a fortified settlement set against a mountainous coastline. The scene was produced for a French voyage or geographic publication of the late 17th to early 18th century and reflects early European exploration and navigation in the East Indies.
The composition is both descriptive and decorative. Ships are shown maneuvering within the bay, while coastal fortifications and settlements are carefully rendered to convey strategic importance. Lettered references identify key features, including the entrance between rocky headlands, the anchorage, and the fort positioned on elevated ground. Figures in European dress appear in the foreground, reinforcing the colonial and exploratory context of the image.
Engraved coastal views such as this served practical, documentary, and visual purposes. They provided readers with geographic understanding while also appealing to curiosity about distant lands. Today, these prints are valued for their strong graphic presence and their connection to early maritime history in Southeast Asia.
The engraving is printed on period paper and shows signs of age and use, consistent with working material from early travel publications. While not a pristine collector’s copy, it remains visually strong and highly suitable for decorative framing.
Condition Report: Early engraving on paper. Overall age toning and surface wear. Light staining and handling marks visible. Margins uneven with minor edge wear. Image remains clear and legible. Condition reflected in price.
Framing Tips: A floated mount or generous mat is recommended to accommodate the uneven edges and emphasize the engraving’s age. Dark wood or black frames pair well with the maritime subject and linear engraving style.
