{"product_id":"malacca","title":"Plan de la Ville et Forteresse de Malaca - Bellin 1750","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlan de la Ville et Forteresse de Malaca\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawn\/Published by: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin\u003cbr\u003eEngraved by: Jakob van der Schley\u003cbr\u003ePublished in: Paris \/ The Hague\u003cbr\u003eYear: 1750\u003cbr\u003eFrom: Histoire Générale des Voyages by Abbé Prévost\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Hand-coloured copperplate engraving; professionally matted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Definitive Plan of the \"Gibraltar of the East\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fine 1750 plan by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, the premier hydrographer to the King of France, provides a detailed architectural and strategic record of Malacca during the period of Dutch rule. As a vital pivot point for trade between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malacca was one of the most heavily fortified and contested ports in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features and Landmarks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe map is renowned for its precision in documenting the city’s layout and defensive structures. The \"Renvoi\" (Legend) identifies critical sites:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEglise S. Paul (A): The historic St. Paul's Church, used by the Dutch as a burial ground and lookout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLa Forteresse: A detailed rendering of the famous Portuguese-built fortress, A Famosa, which the Dutch significantly reinforced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Chinese \u0026amp; Malay Quarters: The map clearly distinguishes the \"Bazar des Chinois\" and the \"Cabanes des Malais,\" illustrating the multicultural urban fabric of the 18th-century port.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGovernment House (C): The residence of the Dutch Governor located within the safety of the fortress walls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCartographic Style\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBellin’s style is a hallmark of French Enlightenment cartography—clean, scientific, and focused on functional detail. The addition of the compass rose and the scale in \"Toises\" (a pre-revolutionary French unit of length) underscores its origin as a professional navigational and historical tool.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Treasures of the Orient","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43764616036417,"sku":null,"price":700.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/7125\/5105\/files\/0DFBFA04-1E9A-4FB4-A49B-3FFFBF55B0DA.jpg?v=1775968128","url":"https:\/\/treasuresoftheorient.com\/products\/malacca","provider":"Treasures of the Orient","version":"1.0","type":"link"}