Antique Biblical Map of Holy Land with inset of Holy Temple of Jerusalem, 1659

A highly detailed and most attractive map of the Holy Land from the famous Dutch cartographic firm run by the Visscher family. This map is one of a series of maps by this firm used to illustrate seventeenth century Dutch Bibles. This map illustrates the route of the Israelites in their Exodus out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea and the desert until they finally entered Canaan. The map is oriented to the west, and the shore line extends from the Nile Delta on the left to as far as Tripoli on the right. The route of the Exodus is indicated, with each year's stopping place indicated with a number. The Holy Land is divided among the Tribes, and detail is given of myriad towns, rivers, lakes, and other features.Besides its topographical and historic interest, this map is a decorative gem. Many ships are shown sailing in the waters around the Holy Land, including a fleet sailing to get the cedar wood for the Temple of Solomon. Also illustrated with a charming vignette is the story of Jonah and the whale. At the bottom are a series of three decorative cartouches. In the center is an illustration of the encampment of the Tribes surrounding the Tabernacle, the cartouche flanked by Moses and Aaron. To the left and right are smaller cartouches containing images of various Temple vessels, each graced by a pair of putti. As a final decorative flourish, a baroque title cartouche graces the upper right corner, also accompanied by the delightful cherubs.