Ming Chinese Map (1 results)

No Binding. Condition: Good. Fascinating hand-drawn map depicting Ming dynasty (1368 1644) China and surrounding lands produced by an unknown Chinese cartographer between 1625 and 1650. The map aids long distance journeys by water. It makes prominent the inland waterway networks and oceans of Ming China and beyond. It also depicts those locations cities, countries, and islands that can be accessed by navigating expanses of water, including distant locations. Other unusual features include the notation of corresponding constellations for each province and the names of local tribes. Stylistically, the map is clear and minimal, using a simple palette of red, brown, and blue wash. Overall, with its culturally rich and eclectic content and its portable size, this map would have been a valued personal possession of an enthusiastic and well-travelled scholar, learned merchant, or even Jesuit. It is highly likely that the map was unique to its original owner. Mounted within thin oriental dark wood, framed and glazed, measuring 39cm x 30.5cm, on bamboo paper. The paper is slightly yellowed and there are occasional darker marks, however none of this diminishes the legibility or artistry. Previously folded into six parts, the creases are dark and worn, so writing and imagery is occasionally partially obscured. Small tear on character " " of the title. The map is bordered with a thin black line, set within a further black-lined border, 3.5cm deep at foot, 1-1.3cm at left, 0.3-0.6cm at right, and 5.3-5.5cm deep at head. The map measures 28.5cm (head) x 28.7cm (foot) x 29.7cm (left) x 29.4cm (right); it does not form a perfect square. In the top right hand corner is a box bearing the title " " (and the final character is a variant.) Text and lines are in black ink. Land is not coloured, water is indicated with a pale blue wash, and mountains are dark brown. Province boundaries not obvious from natural topological barriers are lined red. Ringed in red are cities of political, cultural, and historical significance. Names of the provinces are ringed in black, and of towns and cities in black boxes. The map sets out the fourteen administrative provinces of Ming China. The inland waterway network is the most prominent feature. Minor rivers are rendered as large as major ones. Rivers, lakes as well as their sources are all named. Major waterside settlements are marked in similar sizes, illustrating clearly the order in which one would arrive through water. On the other hand, water-poor areas in the far west and north are dramatically simplified and reduced. Compensating for the distortion, accurate distance between major Ming Chinese cities is marked in miles (li) at several points. Also drawn and named are mountain ranges that would serve as markers for navigation by water. Cities and districts of greatest significance are ringed in red: the northern and southern capitals of Beijing and Nanjing, the cultural centre and ancient capitals Luoyang and Xianyang. Xianyang was important to the Western Zhou (1046 771 BC, a halcyon period of pre-imperial China), also being the capital of the first dynasty, the Qin (221 206 BC) which are noted on the map. The Great Wall (chang cheng ) is marked, but its scale is shrunk and simplified on both ends on the east and the west sides. Foreign regions and nations, bordering China or accessible by water are also represented, but reduced in sizes comparing to the provinces of Ming China itself. These include modern Tibet and Xinjiang (Xifan ), Joseon Korea, Japan (Ribenguo ) and many others. Their water features are emphasised. Far off islands in the southern and eastern seas are marked in minimal detail. Most interesting among these, perhaps, is Nürenguo , "Kingdom of women". This may refer to the rumoured areas of Northern Australia, which many Ming Chinese presumed to operate a matriarchal society. In the territories to the west there are circled blank spaces anticipating unknown lands there whose names might be added.