1683 Isle de Zocotora
DESCRIPTION
This engraving of the Isle de Zocotora, was published by Alain Manesson Mallet in his Description de l’Univers, issued in Paris beginning in 1683. It forms part of Mallet’s illustrated survey of the world, where engraved views and maps were paired with descriptive text.
The image shows the island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea, positioned between Arabia and eastern Africa near the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb. The island is depicted with mountains, settlements, and vegetation, while labels such as “Mer des Indes” and “Arabie” place it within the wider geography of the Indian Ocean and its trade routes.
In the foreground, European ships are shown in combat, emphasizing the region’s role in maritime travel and conflict. This type of scene is typical of Mallet’s work and was meant to make distant places more engaging and understandable to European readers.
CONDITION
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