Spice Trade Collection (#2)

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

A Prospect of the Cape of Good Hope (engraving)
XJF439209 A Prospect of the Cape of Good Hope (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A view, from Table Bay)

A Plan of the Dutch Fort at the Cape of Good Hope and A Draught of Table Bay (engraving)
XJF437999 A Plan of the Dutch Fort at the Cape of Good Hope and A Draught of Table Bay (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Plan of the star fort)

India coast, 1459
The Malabar coast of India, from Fra Mauros map, 1459 (south is at the top). Digitally colored woodcut reproduction

EXPL2A-00096
Trade in a seaport of the Mediterranean about the time of Marco Polo. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century reproduction of a miniature in a 15th-century manuscript of the Travels of Marco Polo

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Henry Hudsons ship " Half Moon" arriving at Manhattan Island, 1609. Hand-colored halftone of a 19th-century illustration

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Henry Hudsons attack on a Native American village on the Atlantic coast, 1609. Hand colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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Columbus expedition coasting along the northern shore of Cuba. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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Columbus watching for land from the deck of the caravel Santa Maria, 1492. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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Departure of Columbuss first expedition from Palos, Spain, 1492. Printed color lithograph of a painting by Ricardo Balaca

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Christopher Columbus studying a map in his studio in Spain 1400s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

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New World geography according to a mapmaker of 1540. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

BUSN2A-00127
Front of the old British East India House. 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.