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A detailed hand-colored engraved map of the African continent from the 17th century. The map is titled "AFRICÆ ACCURATA TABULA ex officina GERARDI A SCHAGEN."
In the upper right corner, the title is contained within an ornate cartouche. Two indigenous African men flank the scroll; the figure on the left holds a bow, while the figure on the right holds a cornucopia overflowing with exotic fruits. Below the central scroll, two smaller figures are seated amidst luxurious goods.
In the lower-left corner, in the Atlantic Ocean, is an elaborate mythological scene. Neptune, the sea god, stands atop a shell-shaped chariot drawn by two hippocampi sea-horses. He is accompanied by a seated goddess and several tritons blowing conch shells.
The map illustrates the African continent with its coastlines outlined in red. Major geographical regions, kingdoms, rivers (including the Nile and Niger), and mountain ranges are labeled. Notable labels include "BARBARIA" in the north, "NIGRITIÆ REG." in the west, "ABISSINA" Ethiopia in the east, and "MONOMOTAPA" in the south. In the center of the continent, two large lakes, "Zaire Lacus" and "Zaflan Lacus," are depicted according to contemporary cartographic theories of the Nile's source.
The surrounding oceans are filled with numerous depictions of 17th-century sailing vessels. The map features a grid of latitude and longitude, with the Equator ("LINEA EQUINOCTIALIS"), the Tropic of Cancer ("Tropicus Cancri"), and the Tropic of Capricorn ("Tropicus Capricorni") clearly marked. A single compass rose is placed in the southern Atlantic.