Description: Antique map titled 'Carte de la Tartarie occidentale.' Original antique map of Eastern Tartary and the Gobi desert showing the silk road and the Great Wall of China. While these maps by Van Schley after Bellin were initially made for 'Histoire Generale des Voyages' (Paris 1746-1759), this is from the 1758 Dutch edition of that work published by Arkstee & Merkus.

Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Jakob van Schley' after 'Jacques Nicolas Bellin'. Jakob van der Schley (1715-1779) was a Dutch draughtsman and engraver, who studied under Bernard Picart. Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was a French hydrographer, geographer and member of The Philosophes. His career, spanning over 50 years, caused an enormous outpt in maps, particular of maritime interest.