Spice Trade Collection

Merchant ship attacked by Chinese pirates
Chinese pirates attacking a European merchant ship, 1800s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

BUSN2A-00135
Dutch East India House in Amsterdam, showing warehouses and shipyard. Hand-colored woodcut

EXPL2A-00146
Marco Polo welcomed at the court of Kublai Khan in China, 1200s. Hand-colored halftone of a 19th-century illustration

Interior with three figures and a dog. Creator: Cattel, Pieter (1712-1759)
Interior with three figures and a dog. Private Collection

Useful Exotic Plants: Safron
3786196 Useful Exotic Plants: Safron; (add.info.: Useful Exotic Plants: Safron (Asia Minor), 1909. (French: Plantes Utiles Exotiques: Le safran). Picking crocus flowers

Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054662 Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Dubai Spices. Creator: Viet Chu
Dubai Spices

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 10, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054670 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 10, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Sir John Mandeville and the King of England, frontispiece from "
3432257 Sir John Mandeville and the King of England, frontispiece from " Le Livre des Merveilles", Paris, c. 1420 (manuscript) by Master of the Mazarine (fl.c.1410-20)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 9, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054647 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 9, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 12, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054646 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 12, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 11, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054644 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 11, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Four vellum leaves of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5895292 Four vellum leaves of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

The Market at Bantam, Java (engraving) (b / w photo)
CHT223928 The Market at Bantam, Java (engraving) (b/w photo) by Dutch School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 8 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054649 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 8 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 2, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054640 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 2, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054638 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing the Western Sahara and Mansa Musa
5054637 Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing the Western Sahara and Mansa Musa, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7 and 8, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054639 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7 and 8, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

North Africa, Europe and the Middle East from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054659 North Africa, Europe and the Middle East from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info)

Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing Mansa Musa enthroned
5043052 Detail from the Catalan Atlas, Sheet 6, showing Mansa Musa enthroned, 1375 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054666 Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 1, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054645 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 1, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 5, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054641 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 5, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Vasco da Gama and the Zamorin of Calicut, 1498 (engraving)
974117 Vasco da Gama and the Zamorin of Calicut, 1498 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Vasco da Gama and the Zamorin of Calicut, 1498)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054643 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 7, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; (add.info.: World map made in Majorca)

Cathay, China from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction)
5054664 Cathay, China from the Catalan Atlas (reproduction) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87) (after); (add.info.: Detail from the reproduction of 1375 World map made in Majorca)

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 4 (pen with coloured inks on parchment)
5054648 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 4 (pen with coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Catalan Atlas, Sheet 3, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment)
5054642 Catalan Atlas, Sheet 3, 1375 (pen and coloured inks on parchment) by Cresques, Abraham (1325-87); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Foundation of Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies, 1619, (c1870). Artist: JH Rennefeld
Foundation of Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies, 1619, (c1870). The Dutch first arrived in Indonesia in 1596 and six years later established the Dutch East India Company to exploit the lucarative

The first East Indian legation in the Netherlands, 1602, (c1870). Artist: W Steelink
The first East Indian legation in the Netherlands, 1602, (c1870). In June 1596 a four ship expedition commanded by Cornelis de Houtman arrived in Indonesia

Formation of the Dutch East India Company, 1602, (c1870). Artist: JH Rennefeld
Formation of the Dutch East India Company, 1602, (c1870). In June 1596 a four ship expedition commanded by Cornelis de Houtman arrived in Indonesia

The first Dutch ship in East Indies, 1596, (c1870). Artist: Van Kesteren
The first Dutch ship in East Indies, 1596, (c1870). A four ship expedition commanded by Cornelis de Houtman arrived in Indonesia in June 1596

Spice seller, Royal Palace, Tehran, c1890. Illustration from En Perse, Types, Costumes and Moeurs, (a work on the people, costume and customs of Persia), by L Boulanger, (Paris, c1890)

Vasco da Gamas fleet at sea, 1497. In 1497, Vasco da Gama (c1469-1525), Portuguese navigator, became the first westerner to round the Cape of Good Hope, the tip of South Africa

Eugenia caryophyllata - clove tree, 1823. A plant native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands, Indonesia. The Dutch controlled the trade during the 1600s

Myrsitica fragrans - nutmeg, c1798. Showing fruit containing the nut surrounded by ari, the source of mace. Nutmeg is a tree native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands, Indonesia

Clove, flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (Eugenia carophyllata). Artist: D Blair
Clove, flower bud of Syzygium aromaticum (Eugenia carophyllata). Syzygium aromaticum is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands, Indonesia

Portuguese caravels
Caravels, from " Libre de cololat tractat dels fet maritims, " Portugal, 1502. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of a 16th-century illustration

BUSN2A-00209
Dutch East India Company warehouses in Amsterdam, 1600s or 1700s. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of an antique print

EXPL2A-00094
Ships of Marco Polo on the Mediterranean Sea, 1300s. Hand-colored woodcut

PASI2A-00004
Marco Polo transported in Kublai Khans elephant car during visit to China, 1200s. Hand-colored 19th-century woodcut reproduction of an earlier engraving

HOUS2D-00003
Spices of historical significance: nutmeg, green cardamon pods, coriander, and allspice (counterclockwise from front left). Digital photograph

HOUS2D-00002
Spices of historical significance: green cardamom pods, coriander, allspice, and nutmeg (counterclockwise from front left). Digital photograph

EXPL2A-00107
Ships in busy Lisbon harbor, circa 1600. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century reproduction of the original illustration from DeBry

EXPL2A-00020
Ships of Ferdinand Magellan rounding Tierra del Fuego to circumnavigate the earth 1519 to 1521. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

EXPL2A-00018
Columbus showing a map to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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"Unveiling the Treacherous Seas: The Epic Tale of the Spice Trade" Embark on a journey back in time as we delve into the captivating world of the spice trade. In this enthralling saga, merchant ships sailed treacherous waters, facing peril at every turn. One such ship fell victim to Chinese pirates, their audacious attack leaving an indelible mark on history. The year was 1705 when Cap de Bonne Esperance witnessed this harrowing encounter. An engraving etched with intricate details transports us to that fateful moment, where bravery clashed with piracy amidst vast oceans. Dubai Spices - a name that resonates through centuries - captivates our senses and evokes images of exotic flavors and fragrances. Created by Viet Chu, it serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of spices in human civilization. But let us rewind further back in time to 1375 when Catalan Atlas unfolded its mesmerizing pages before our eyes. Sheet after sheet adorned with pen strokes and colored inks revealed ancient knowledge and cartographic marvels. From Sir John Mandeville's encounters with kings to bustling markets at Bantam, Java captured through engravings and black-and-white photographs; these artifacts paint a vivid picture of life during those vibrant times. Four vellum leaves from the Catalan Atlas beckon us closer, whispering tales of intrepid explorers who braved uncharted territories for coveted spices. These delicate parchment sheets hold within them secrets passed down through generations – stories that continue to intrigue even today. The spice trade stands as a testament to humanity's insatiable thirst for discovery and adventure. It shaped cultures, sparked innovation, and connected distant lands like never before. As we reflect upon its rich tapestry woven across continents and seas, may we appreciate both its triumphs and tribulations – forever immortalized within these historical relics.