In the 18th century, cartographers liked to include engravings of spheres and globes in their general atlases, as astronomy and the knowledge of the planets had become fashionable and a major part of the new-found discoveries in the "Age of Enlightenment." This fine engraving shows a terrestrial globe centered on the eastern hemisphere, featuring the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. The globe is on ornate rococo-style bases, and the engraving is surrounded by panels of text and a lovely picture-frame style border that was printed from a separate plate. Engraved by Simon J. Martinet.

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Condition: B+

A nice impression on watermarked paper featuring a Maltese Cross encircled with rosary beads. There is light toning and minor foxing.