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Dotted lines on this late 17th century map demarcate regions and kingdoms (which also have a crown symbol). The cartouche is shaped like a giant shell supported by mermen, with cherubs holding up shells and pearls on top.

From Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi’s ‘Mercurio Geografico’, this 17th century map of Asia represents mountains, jungles and cities pictorially, with hand-coloured regional borders. The map’s cartouche is decorated with clothing and weaponry.

Based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy, this map has Latin inscriptions, including mentions of a mythical race of cannibals (‘Anthropophagi’) and hippopotamuses. The Malay Peninsula is labelled ‘Aurea Chersonesus [Golden Chersonese]’.