Antique Map of Andalusia Spain – Hand-Coloured Tassin Engraving 1651
This fine hand-coloured engraved map shows the historic kingdom of Andalusia in southern Spain, created by Nicolas Tassin and published by Nicolas Berey in 1651 in the atlas ‘Cartes Generales des Provinces de France et d’Espagne’. The map is titled ‘Reyno de Andaluzia’ and features a beautifully ornate title cartouche and a delicate coat of arms design in the lower section. Towns, rivers, and regional borders are meticulously engraved, including Sevilla, Malaga, Ronda, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, alongside parts of Portugal such as Algarve and Olivenca.
Nicolas Tassin was an esteemed 17th-century French cartographer known for his precisely engraved provincial maps, valued for their decorative yet informative character. The technique used here is copperplate engraving, printed on hand-laid paper and enhanced with rich contemporary hand colouring. This method ensured extremely fine line work and durability over centuries. The colours used highlight regional divisions and enhance its visual appeal, making it not only a historical document but also a decorative art piece.
Collectors and interior designers favour Tassin’s maps for their historical accuracy combined with attractive baroque-style ornamentation. They provide an authentic glimpse into 17th-century geographical knowledge and territorial boundaries, ideal for classic study rooms, libraries, or elegant living spaces.
Condition summary: The map is in very good condition for its age, with strong impressions and vibrant original hand colouring. Minor age toning is visible in the margins with some faint scattered spotting, but the image itself remains clean and crisp. Edges are slightly browned, typical of antique maps, with no tears or major flaws.
Framing tips: For best presentation, use a dark wood or gilt frame with a neutral cream or lightly textured off-white mount board to emphasise the vivid colours without distraction. Museum-grade UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the pigments and paper quality over time.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic 17th-century map by Nicolas Tassin, an elegant addition to any serious map collection or classic European-themed interior.
Bartele Gallery. Original antique maps, sea charts, engravings and works on paper. This is a plain text rendering of a page that is otherwise built in the browser. The catalogue index is at https://www.bartele.net/catalogue and machine readable notes are at https://www.bartele.net/llms.txt.