Armenia & Kurdistan Map, 1850

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Armenia & Kurdistan Map Showing Ancient Assyria and Mesopotamia, 1850 A highly detailed and historically compelling antique map titled “Turkey … Read more Armenia & Kurdistan Map Showing Ancient Assyria and Mesopotamia, 1850 A highly detailed and historically compelling antique map titled “Turkey in Asia (Eastern Division) Armenia, Kurdistan &c. (Ancient Assyria & Mesopotamia),” published around 1850. This finely engraved map focuses on the eastern provinces of the Ottoman Empire and adjacent regions of Persia, presenting a remarkably detailed depiction of Armenia, Kurdistan, Mesopotamia, and the upper Persian Gulf during the mid-nineteenth century. The map combines elegant steel engraving with delicate original outline hand coloring, highlighting borders and administrative divisions while preserving the restrained visual sophistication characteristic of the finest British cartographic productions of the period. The composition stretches from the Black Sea and Caucasus southward along the Tigris and Euphrates river systems toward the Persian Gulf, creating a dramatic vertical layout with strong decorative appeal. Particularly notable is the dense geographic detail across Armenia and Kurdistan, regions of enduring historical and geopolitical significance. Important cities and regions including Erzerum, Van, Mosul, Diarbekir, Baghdad, Basra, Assyria, and Mesopotamia are carefully identified, alongside mountain ranges, caravan routes, rivers, and tribal territories. The inset map at lower left situates the region within the wider framework of Asiatic Turkey and the Near East, enhancing the educational and decorative quality of the sheet. The map reflects nineteenth-century European fascination with biblical geography, ancient civilizations, and the strategic territories connecting Anatolia, Persia, and Arabia. The references to Ancient Assyria and Mesopotamia add further intellectual depth, making this map especially appealing to collectors interested in Middle Eastern history, the Ottoman Empire, Armenia, Kurdish history, archaeology, and early exploration. Its elegant typography, open spacing, and subtle coloring give the sheet a refined museum-like appearance when framed. A dark walnut, ebonized, or gilt frame with a wide ivory mat would complement the engraving beautifully and enhance its strong vertical composition. Condition: Good antique condition with age-related toning and occasional light foxing. Original center fold as issued. Minor handling wear and faint discoloration consistent with age. Please study image carefully. Special note: This is an original antique engraving, not a reproduction. All items we offer are authentic period works of art over 100 years old. The piece is sold unframed; any framed images are shown for presentation and interior inspiration only and may not always be to scale. See less