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This map shows the empires and kingdoms of Asia. Its decorative cartouche features a drawing of a censer (incense burner) standing on a plinth, surrounded by patterned curtains and carpet. Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines is noted on the map.

Some regions on this map of Southeast have a descriptive label: Sumatra is described as having mines of gold, silver, iron, and sulphur; and elephants, tigers, rhinoceroses, dragons and crocodiles. Gilolo has rice, sago and turtles. Ambon has nutmeg.

Longitude is indicated in two different ways on this mid-18th century map: along the top border, it is shown in degrees (number of degrees east of London); more unusually, along the bottom border, it is shown in time (number of hours east of London).

Map of Asia divided into large colour-coded regions: the western half of mainland Southeast Asia is joined with India (‘Indien’), and coloured red; the eastern half is joined with China, all in yellow.

Map of Asia divided into large colour-coded regions: the western half of mainland Southeast Asia is joined with India (‘Indien’), and coloured red; the eastern half is joined with China, all in yellow.

On this map, Asia is divided into colour-coded regions, with mainland Southeast Asia in blue, and the islands of maritime Southeast Asia in various colours. The cartouche features drawings of a palm tree, fruits and a camel.

On this map, Asia is divided into colour-coded regions, with mainland Southeast Asia in blue, and the islands of maritime Southeast Asia in various colours. The cartouche features drawings of a palm tree, fruits and a camel.

There are some labels on this mid-18th century map of Southeast Asia describing the local populations, including the Ke-moy, a ‘Nation sauvage [savage people]’ living in the mountains on the border of Cochinchine (Vietnam) and Camboja (Cambodia).

Text on this mid-18th century map notes the dimensions of the islands of maritime Southeast Asia, in length, breadth and square miles (e.g. ‘Java 580 long, 105 broad, & 38,250 sq.’). It also states that the Dutch are the main traders in the region.

This 18th century map of Southeast Asia by the French cartographer Gilles Robert de Vaugondy features the national borders of the Philippines in green, and of modern Indonesia in yellow. The Malay Peninsula and modern Cambodia and Vietnam are in red.

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.