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This striking copperplate engraved map depicts the Duchy of Głogów (Glogau) in Silesia.  Published in Amsterdam during the mid-17th century, the map, is drawn from the earlier work of the Silesian mapmaker Jonas Scultetus. 

The map is a detailed and ornate representation of the duchy, featuring a decorative title cartouche with a bovine head and an explanatory legend detailing various settlements and features such as towns, villages with churches, noble seats, monasteries, and ironworks. The map's meticulous detailing of the duchy's topography, towns, and natural features, such as rivers and mountains, reflects the cartographic standards of the time and the region's economic and strategic importance. 

The Duchy of Głogów, part of the historical region of Silesia, was a significant territory in Central Europe during the 17th century. Silesia itself was a highly contested region, coveted by various powers due to its strategic location, rich natural resources, and developed trade routes. Throughout the 17th century, Silesia, including the Duchy of Głogów, was under the control of the Habsburg Monarchy, having been incorporated into the Crown of Bohemia in the early 16th century. The region's governance was characterized by a patchwork of duchies, each with varying degrees of autonomy but all owing allegiance to the Habsburgs.

The 17th century was a tumultuous period for Silesia, marked by the devastation of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). The conflict, primarily fought in the Holy Roman Empire, saw Silesia frequently ravaged by both Imperial and Protestant forces. The war brought widespread destruction, economic hardship, and significant population decline due to military actions, famine, and disease. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years' War, reaffirmed Habsburg control over Silesia, but the region remained economically weakened and politically fragmented. 

During the 17th century, the key rulers of the Duchy of Głogów were the Habsburg emperors, who ruled the region as part of their broader control over the Holy Roman Empire. The notable Habsburg rulers of this period included Emperor Ferdinand II (1619-1637), who was a staunch defender of Catholicism during the Thirty Years' War, and his successors, Ferdinand III (1637-1657) and Leopold I (1658-1705), who continued to consolidate Habsburg power in the empire.

Major towns depicted on the map include Głogów (Glogau), the duchy's capital, which served as a significant fortress town on the Oder River, providing both military and economic advantages. Other notable settlements include Sprottau (Sprottau) and Schwiebus (Schwiebus), which were important regional centers known for their local trade and strategic positions. The map also highlights smaller settlements, noble estates, and ecclesiastical properties, reflecting the duchy's diverse feudal landscape.