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A late 18th century map of maritime Southeast Asia by the French geographer Jacques Nicolas Bellin (1703–1772). The title refers to the ‘Stretto della Sonda’ (Sunda Strait), the strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java.

This map shows the islands of Java, Sumatra and Borneo, the straits of Sunda, Malacca and Bangka, and the Gulf of Siam. The points of the compass can be seen radiating out from a central compass rose.

This map shows the islands of Java, Sumatra and Borneo, the straits of Sunda, Malacca and Bangka, and the Gulf of Siam. The points of the compass can be seen radiating out from a central compass rose.

This map shows the islands of Java, Sumatra and Borneo, the straits of Sunda, Malacca and Bangka, and the Gulf of Siam. The points of the compass can be seen radiating out from a central compass rose.

Mid-18th century French-language map of Asia, with Southeast Asia divided into four regions: the mainland in yellow, the Philippines in green, the Sunda Islands in red, and the Maluku Islands in yellow.

Mid-18th century French-language map of Asia, with Southeast Asia divided into four regions: the mainland in yellow, the Philippines in green, the Sunda Islands in red, and the Maluku Islands in yellow.

Simple mid-18th century French-language map of Asia, with Southeast Asia divided into four regions: the mainland in yellow, the Philippines in green, the Sunda Islands in red, and the Maluku Islands in yellow.

Simple mid-18th century French-language map of Asia, with Southeast Asia divided into four regions: the mainland in yellow, the Philippines in green, the Sunda Islands in red, and the Maluku Islands in yellow.

The title of this mid-18th century map translates as ‘Asia following the latest observations of the Muscovites/Russians’. Written notes in French list the regions, islands, empires, kingdoms, colonial possessions, religions and languages of Asia.

This late 17th century map of the western Sunda Islands—Sumatra, Java and Borneo—is decorated with a colourful cartouche probably featuring the Greek god Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite. Cherubs play trumpets and ride on sea monsters.