English Cartography Wall Art
English cartography wall art brings centuries of geography into your rooms through framed county maps and atlas engravings.
English Cartography Wall Art
English cartography wall art comprises framed maps, county maps and atlas engravings originating from the seventeenth century through to the twentieth century. These pieces record counties such as Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, and Surrey alongside wider views of England and Wales.
The pieces present on this page are most frequently framed works on paper, utilising materials such as ink, watercolour and gold leaf. They span Georgian, Victorian, and seventeenth-century periods, capturing the evolution of cartographic publication.
Collectors encounter works attributed to notable cartographers like Robert Morden, John Speed, and Blaeu, alongside later nineteenth-century lithographs. Each item serves as both historical documentation and decorative wall art.
Evaluating Quality
Quality separates through the clarity of the plate impression, the precision of the hand-applied watercolour, and the preservation of the paper. Earlier seventeenth-century impressions demonstrate distinct plate lines and crisp typography.
The framing materials also distinguish the pieces, with period oak and gilt wood housings providing context superior to later modern replacements. The renown of the cartographer, from Robert Morden to John Speed, influences the standing of the work.
Cartographers occasionally populated empty sea spaces with mythical sea monsters and elaborate sailing ships.
Blaeu·John Speed·Robert Morden·Thomas Kitchin·John Cary·J Harrison·C. Smith·M Phillips
The English Cartography Wall Art Glossary
- Atlas engraving
- A map printed from an engraved metal plate for inclusion in a bound volume of maps. These plates yield fine lines and detailed topographical notes.
- County map
- A geographical representation focusing on a specific English shire or county boundary. These often include decorative cartouches and heraldic crests.
- Lithography
- A planographic printing process utilising stone or metal plates. This technique becomes common in nineteenth-century cartography.
- Cartouche
- An ornamental frame enclosing the map title, scale, or publisher details. Seventeenth-century examples frequently display elaborate artistic flourishes.
English Cartography Wall Art: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang framed maps safely?
Hang these pieces away from direct sunlight to protect the paper and watercolour pigments from fading. Secure the wooden or gilt wood frames using appropriate wall fixings suited to the weight of the glass and timber.
Ensure the room maintains stable humidity levels to prevent the paper substrate from warping within the frame.
Are these maps original period items?
The listings comprise authentic period items ranging from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth century. They include original atlas engravings and county maps produced by publishers of their respective eras.
Check the individual title and period details to identify the specific century of publication for each piece.
What periods do these maps cover?
The collection spans multiple historical eras, starting from the seventeenth century with Carolean and Dutch influences. It progresses through the Georgian and Victorian periods up to nineteen-ten.
Each period exhibits distinct printing techniques, from early engraved copper plates to later nineteenth-century lithography.
What is a county map?
A county map focuses specifically on the geography, towns, and boundaries of an individual English shire. Cartographers like Robert Morden produced these extensively for regional reference.
They frequently feature decorative cartouches detailing the mapmaker and scale alongside topographical landmarks.