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One of the Most Decorative Regional Maps of Brazil From the 17th Century
This exquisitely engraved map, oriented with west at the top, depicts the Brazilian province of Pará and the Maragnone region, along the northeastern coast of Brazil.
Created in the 17th century, it is one of 23 maps included in Istoria delle Guerre del Regno del Brasile, a rare and luxurious account of the Dutch-Portuguese colonial conflicts. The text and maps were overseen by João José de Santa Teresa, a Portuguese Carmelite and librarian of the Jesuit College in Rome, and published by Giacomo Giovanni Rossi under the patronage of Pedro II of Portugal. The map itself was engraved by Antonio Horacio Andreas, a noted artist of the period.
The map focuses on coastline immediately south of the Amazon River. Prominent place names along the coast include Provincia del Maragnone, Rio Campeci, and Rio do Rosario, highlighting key rivers and settlements.
A prominent compass rose with north oriented to the right reinforces its function as a navigational aid. Decorative elements enrich the map’s visual appeal, with cherubic putti holding the title cartouche and the Portuguese royal coat of arms.
![[ Brazil ] Brasilia Lusitanorum in XIV praefecturas divis. Per N. Sanson](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/97912.jpg)
![[Ilha da Santa Catarina to Bombinhas]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/59595.jpg)
