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Moluccæ insulæ

event1618

location_onIndonesia, East Timor

Unusually, north is located to the right of this early 17th century map of the Maluku Islands, rather than the top. The scale is shown on a stone monument. French text on the reverse describes Java.

Malacca

event1616

location_onBrunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

French text on the back of this map of mainland Southeast Asia describes the kingdom of Pegu (Myanmar), its royal palace, ports and trade with Sumatra and Malacca (rice, butter, oil, salt, onions, silver, porcelain, quicksilver, copper, pewter etc.).

Svmatra cum circumiacentibus insulis

event1601

location_onIndonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

A colourful early 17th century map of Sumatra, Java and the Malay Peninsula, with North located to the left, and major settlements marked. Latin text on the reverse describes the peoples, religions, languages, agriculture, mining etc. of the region.

Descriptio Malaccae

eventc.1600-1699

location_onMalaysia, Singapore, Indonesia

Latin text on the reverse of this map describes Malacca, including crops and products (rice, pepper, spices, pearls), precious metals (gold, silver and tin), and animals (sheep, elephant), showing the city’s importance to European trade at the time.

India Orientalis: cuius nobilior pars sunt duo ista quasi ingentia totius Asiæ promontoria in Oceanum versus Meridiem projecta, cum suis insulis

event1600

location_onBrunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

The island of Java was initially labelled on this map as ‘Iaua Minor’ (Java Minor), but this was altered to ‘Iaua Maior’ (Java Major), reflecting the common confusion over the names at the time. Sumatra and Borneo were both similarly mis-labelled.

Sumatra ein grosse Insel: so von den alten Geographen Taprobana genennet worden

eventc.1588-1628

location_onIndonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

Sumatra ein grosse Insel: so von den alten Geographen Taprobana genennet worden

eventc.1588-1628

location_onIndonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

[Sumatra]

event1581

location_onIndonesia

This early map of Sumatra—referred to in the accompanying French text as ‘Isle de la Taprobane’—is covered with illustrations of people working on the land, and with elephants and camels. Villages, mountains, rivers and wild animals are also shown.

Indiae Orientalis insularumque adiacientium typus

event1579

location_onBrunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

A red banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

Tabvla Asiae XI

event1574

location_onCambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Southeast Asia

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

India tercera nvova tavola

event1561

location_onCambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei

This mid-16th century map of Southeast Asia shows some inaccuracies, especially in the shape of the Malay Peninsula and the islands meant to represent Sumatra (labelled ‘Camatra’), Java (‘Iava Mazor’) and Borneo (‘Iava Menor’). Latin text on reverse.

Tabvla Asiae XI

event1561

location_onCambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Southeast Asia

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

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