Coloured Engraved Wall Map
These pieces of coloured engraved wall map material bring centuries of geography directly into interiors through decorative cartography.
Coloured Engraved Wall Map
A coloured engraved wall map presents historical geographical regions, ranging from English counties like Surrey and Gloucestershire to European territories and the Americas. These works originate across the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, including Victorian editions and Georgian interpretations.
The format typically arrives framed under glass, utilising wood or gilt wood frames to protect the delicate paper inside. Pieces frequently take the form of wall art or framed maps derived from historical atlases such as the Atlas Novus.
Buyers encounter works associated with cartographic traditions spanning English, Dutch, Flemish, and Welsh origins. The selection ranges from compact county depictions to large scale maps designed for grand tours.
Materials and construction
The underlying medium consists of paper bearing copperplate engravings printed using dark ink. Artisans applied watercolour by hand across the printed lines to demarcate boundaries, titles, and decorative cartouches.
Many examples incorporate gold leaf highlights or are mounted within wooden and gilt wood frames behind protective glass. Backing materials frequently include linen to support folding sections or large sheets.
Coloured Engraved Wall Map Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for coloured engraved wall map among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature paper maps printed with ink and finished with watercolour, housed behind glass within wood and gilt wood frames.
Factors determining quality
Quality rests significantly upon the precision and clarity of the original engraving and the finesse of the contemporary or later hand colouring. Crisp linework on robust paper distinguishes finer cartographic output from softer, worn impressions.
The prominence of the cartographer involved, such as Joan Blaeu, John Speed, or Robert Morden, influences the standing of a piece. Preservation of the paper sheet within its frame and the integrity of the original colouring also separate examples.
John Speed·Joan Blaeu·Robert Morden·Johannes Janssonius·Emanuel Bowen·John Cary
The Coloured Engraved Wall Map Glossary
- Cartography
- The science or practice of drawing maps. This discipline underpins every piece listed in this category.
- Atlas
- A bound collection of maps. Many historic sheets originated inside large publications like the Atlas Novus.
- Cartouche
- A decorative frame enclosing the map's title, scale, or dedication. These ornate panels often feature heraldry or figures.
- Engraving
- A printmaking technique where an image is incised onto a copper plate. Ink is then pressed into the grooves to transfer onto paper.
- Hand coloured
- The application of watercolour pigment by hand after the printing process. This adds hue to geographical borders and decorative elements.
Coloured Engraved Wall Map: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a framed map?
Secure fixings suited to the weight of the wood frame and glass should be mounted directly into structural wall studs. Position the piece away from direct sunlight to protect the paper and watercolour pigments from fading.
Ensure the wall environment maintains a stable humidity level to prevent warping of the wooden frame or degradation of the historic paper.
Are these maps original period printings?
The listings comprise historic engravings produced in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries by established cartographers and publishers. Each piece reflects the printing technology and geographical knowledge of its specific era.
Dates associated with the items refer to the original publication or printing period indicated in the evidence.
How do I identify different centuries?
Stylistic indicators such as typography, cartouche design, and spelling variations help distinguish seventeenth-century cartography from later Georgian and Victorian editions. Seventeenth-century maps often feature elaborate Dutch or English text formatting.
Reference details provided in the item titles link specific plates to known publishers and publication years.
Why are some maps double sided?
Certain seventeenth-century atlas sheets contain cartographic information or text printed on both the front and reverse sides. This reflects the economical production methods of period atlas binders who maximised paper usage.
Framing choices for such items sometimes account for this feature by allowing visibility of both sides.