Map of Southern India and Ceylon by Petrus Kaerius, 1616

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This rare early 17th-century copper engraved map titled 'Narsinga et Ceylon' was created by Petrus Kaerius (Pieter van den Keere) … Read more This rare early 17th-century copper engraved map titled 'Narsinga et Ceylon' was created by Petrus Kaerius (Pieter van den Keere) and published in 1616. It depicts the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, including the Coromandel and Malabar coasts, and the island of Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka), with remarkable detail for its size. The map comes from 'Caert-Thresoor', a pocket atlas first issued in 1598 and reprinted with updated plates through the early 17th century. Key features include coastal towns such as Goa, Cochin, and Colombo, mountain ranges shown pictorially, and decorative cartouches framing the title and scale. It shows Portuguese place names such as Capelo and Dodolfsio, reflecting the Portuguese maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean during this period. The seas are labelled 'Mare Indicum' (Indian Ocean) and 'Sinus Gangeticus' (Bay of Bengal). The engraving is signed Petrus Kaerius caelavit in the scale cartouche, attesting to Kaerius’ role as both engraver and mapmaker. See less