Beschreibung:

OLIVA, Joan] (fl. 1570-1614). Portolan chart of Africa and Arabia. [Marseille: c.1600]. Illuminated manuscript portolan chart on vellum, 525 x 710mm. The chart extending from the Cape, north to the mouth of the river Niger, Egypt and eastwards to Arabia, the Arabian gulf and Southern Iran, orientated to the West, coastlines in green, red and blue, rivers in blue, the numerous coastal placenames in red and black, the continent decorated with stylised mountain symbols, as well as various animals, an elephant, lion, pig, unicorn and camel, three shields of the Portuguese crown decorating Madagascar and Southern Africa, two Turkish shields decorating the Horn of Africa and Arabia, the three crosses of Calvary, title 'Africa' in banner at upper right corner, a Christian mission shown in the Congo, the whole chart decorated with thirteen elaborate compass roses of varying sizes, arranged in a circular fashion around the centre point of the chart, two curious sea monsters off Madagascar, elaborate scales to left and right margins, gold border. A fine attractive chart, with a wealth of detail derived from Portuguese sources. This chart in its construction and geography closely resembles Filippo Pigafelta's important map, published in Rome in 1591 (see Norwich, Maps of Africa 16). The curious representation of the Nile extends southwards to Southern Africa (the traditional area of the source of the Nile).