1593 Quivirae Regnu cum alijs versus Borea
DESCRIPTION
Quivirae Regnu cum alijs versus Borea
By: Cornelis de Jode based on earlier map by Gerard de Jode
Date: 1593 ( Published) Antwerp
Dimensions: 14 x 8.5 inches (35.6 x 21.6 cm)
This is a fine example of a map featuring much of the west coast of North America, which was published by Cornelis de Jode in 1593. Based on his father Gerard de Jode’s work, this magnificent map was published in Speculum Orbis Terrae, in only one known edition and one state, making it very rare.
The map covers territory from Arctic regions north of the mythical Northwest Passage, here labeled the Strait of Anian, and extends south to the Tropic of Cancer. Quivira, the name of the mythical cities of gold long sought by Spanish explorers, is used here to denote the entirety of southwest North America. The name Anian would have been familiar in the 16th century, borrowed as it was from Marco Polo’s use of the name Ania to describe a western province of China.
Place names along the coast of what is now California depict not only the predominance of Spain in exploring the western coast of North America, but also many of the landfalls made by early Spanish explorers. Inland depicts some of the myths and legends of the era regarding indigenous peoples, their traditions, way of life along with images and some Latin descriptions describing them.
One Latin insert states that ‘This region is flat and wild, in which wild cattle roam, having the hump of a camel, but the tail and feet of a lion.’ Images of a bovine creature match this description. The interior also contains images of tents resembling the yurts of peoples of the steppes of Central Asia, and another Latin text describes them as resembling peoples among the Tartars. ‘Here we see people living in tents in the countryside after the manner of the Hardaru which we see among the Tartars.’
The map is embellished with stunning decorative elements including three remarkably detailed vessels at full sail, and two marvelous, mythical creatures swimming in the Pacific.
CONDITION
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