Hand-coloured engraving of a map of the XVII provinces, published by Johann Baptist Homann, Nuremberg, ca. 1720.
 
Following a long period of Dutch domination, the Homann family became the most important map publishers in Germany in the 18thC. The business was founded by Johann Baptist Homann (1644-1724) in Nuremburg around the year 1702. Soon after publishing his first atlas in 1707 he became a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences and in 1715 was appointed Geographer to the Emperor. 
 
This map roughly depicts the current Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg). A richly decorated cartouche on the left hand side shows the crests of all provinces included, flanked by Poseidon and Mercury (monarchs of the sea and trade, respectively),  referring to the Dutch colonial empire in South-East Asia. 
 
Framed 76 x 70 cm, map size 61 x 53 cm
 
Condition: in our opinion, the item is in good condition
 
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