Lot 95b, Auction 4/12/2026: 19th C. Ottoman Cartographic Map of the Levant

$390.00

In stock

Near East, Ottoman Empire, ca. 19th century CE. A large and finely executed Ottoman cartographic map that offers a dense, handwritten vision of the Levantine landscape as understood through 19th century imperial administration. Rendered in black and red ink on parchment-like paper, the map is filled edge to edge with Ottoman Turkish script, carefully labeling settlements, rivers, and geographic features with remarkable precision and consistency. Hand-drawn lines in green and red trace roads, routes, and political boundaries, guiding the eye across a complex network of terrain and human presence. The surface bears the marks of use – folds, wear, and soft abrasion – lending the map a palpable sense of age and function rather than decorative intent. At the upper margin, a calligraphic title in red ink anchors the composition, its elegant script asserting authority and clarity amid the dense geography below. Size: 30.9″ W x 37.9″ H (78.5 cm x 96.3 cm)

Such maps were essential tools within the Ottoman world, serving administrative, military, and logistical purposes during a period of shifting borders and increasing regional complexity. The choice of parchment and the addition of a gauze cloth backing suggest both durability and repeated handling, reinforcing its role as a working document rather than a ceremonial object. Surviving in a fragile but compelling state, this map stands as a visual record of Ottoman geographic knowledge and bureaucratic reach in the 19th century, where calligraphy, cartography, and governance converge on a single, carefully constructed surface.

Condition: Worn and fragile, with noticeable creases, tears, and losses at the edges, indicative of historical use. Discoloring to paper and cloth with staining and repairs, tears, and fraying in areas. Text and imagery are mostly still clear however.

Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s

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