“HIBERNIÆ REGNUM...” Nuremberg: Johann Baptist Homann, c. 1720. Beautifully engraved map with full original hand-coloring. (Image : 22 ¼ x 18 ¾ ). Center fold as issued, 1/4" tear on left just past margin closed on verso .
This handsome map depicts the Kingdom of Ireland with the four Provinces named and in contrasting colors (Munster, Connought (present-day Connacht), Leinster, and Ulster. Topographical features are very well defined with the counties and most major towns, cities, mountains, castles, churches, land routes and water routes identified.
The decorative allegorical cartouche in the upper left includes cherubs and mythological figures (Pan, the Celtic god of nature, and two aspects of Brigit, the Celtic goddess who rules over poetry, the healing arts, and the agricultural bounty of the Emerald Isle).
Two figures are shown crowning the Gaelic harp (Irelands oldest symbol). The mileage scale in the lower right depicts Irish fishermen, a farmer, cattle and the British coat-of-arms.
Homann produced maps that were exceptional for their clarity & comprehensiveness. “The founder of the dominant dynasty of German 18th century cartographers...He was one of the first to color his maps at origin...” (Portinaro & Knirsch The Cartography of North America, p. 315).
Shipped unmatted
