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On this map, ‘Lac de Chiamay’, one of number of mythical lakes once thought to exist in southern China, feeds five rivers—labelled ‘Caor’, ‘Comotay’, ‘Cosinite’, ‘Ava’ and Lankang—which flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.

Colourful hand-drawn portolan (nautical) navigation chart, featuring a rhumbline network (the web of interconnected lines), islands, shoals and reefs. With elaborately decorated scales and compass roses. Mounted on folding wood boards.

This late 17th century map of Asia is by William Berry, based on an earlier map by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson. Dedicated to King Charles II, it features the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom in its elaborate cartouche.

This late 17th century map of Asia is by William Berry, based on an earlier map by the French cartographer Nicolas Sanson. Dedicated to King Charles II, it features the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom in its elaborate cartouche.

Dotted lines and colours divide maritime Southeast Asia into three regions on this map: the Philippine archipelago, Maluku Islands and Sunda Islands. The cartouche features cherub mermaids, and a map of mainland Southeast Asia is on the reverse.

This mid-17th century map of the Indian Ocean has a colourful cartouche illustrated with paintings of Asian merchants and warriors with bows and arrows. The scale is decorated with paintings of cherubs.

These two mid-17th century maps cover mainland Southeast Asia, divided into kingdoms by coloured borders. Settlements and rivers are named, with the larger settlements marked pictorially with a red building symbol.

This mid-17th century map of Southeast Asia is from Isaac Commelin’s book describing the voyages of the Dutch East India Company ‘Begin ende voortgangh…’. There is an inset map of the island of Botton (Buton Island, southeast of Celebes (Sulawesi)).

An early map of Southeast Asia featuring a rhumbline network, a web of lines to help plot routes and aid navigation. Where the lines meet, there is a compass rose with an arrow pointing north. The map is decorated with illustrations of sea monsters.